Arthur "Art" John Howald of Steelville, Missouri passed away Friday, April 26, 2013 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville at the age of 94 years. He was born January 5, 1919 in Crawford County, Missouri to Frank and Jane Agnes Cain Howald. On April 19, 1948, he was united in marriage to Susie "Sue" Elizabeth Summers who preceded him in death on October 16, 2001. To this union, two children were born.

Art was born in Crawford County and spent his life there until the age of twenty-two when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served honorably from 1941 until 1945. He was in combat in the South Pacific during World War II and while in the Philippines, he took part in an Army Ranger raid on the Cabanatuan prison camp which was thirty miles behind enemy lines. Five hundred Allied prisoners were rescued and taken to safety from the Japanese prisoner camp. He was awarded a Purple Heart and four Bronze Stars for his bravery. In 1948 he became a business owner of Howald's Hardware and Appliance in Steelville until 1979. During those years, he bought a farm east of Steelville and spent many years raising cattle and farming. He enjoyed bowling and sponsored a team for several years. After retirement, he and Sue enjoyed traveling and spending time together with family. In the early 1950's, he became a Christian and dedicated much of his time to his church. He was a deacon and superintendent of Sunday school and involved in many other areas of church at First Baptist. Art was also involved in the community and was President of the Steelville Retirement Homes, Vice-President of the Steelville Community Services Corporation and a charter member of the Steelville Booster's Club. For several years, he served as Cub master for Cub Scouts and coached many Little League Baseball teams.

In the last few years, he enjoyed watching the Cardinals play baseball, enjoyed visiting with old friends and loved seeing his family.

He will be sadly missed by his son, Kent Howald and wife Betty Ann of Steelville, MO;  five grandchildren, Jonathan Thomas Howald of Orlando, FL, David Arthur Howald and wife Liz of Oklahoma City, OK, Trenton Reed Kenagy of Seattle, WA, Sean Barrett Kenagy and wife Jordan of Virginia Beach, VA and Allison Jane Caudle and husband Joe of Cuba, MO; one great-grandson, Brooks Kenagy; one brother, Edwin Howald of St. Louis, MO; one sister in-law, Barbara Carroll of Steelville, MO; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sue Howald; one daughter, Katherine Sue Kenagy; sisters in-law, Miriam Howald and Elaine Taylor and husband Jim Taylor; and brother in-law, Jess Carroll.

The Family received friends on Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Kevin Farr and Dr. George T. Miller officiating. Memories were shared by Bryan Taylor. Special music of "I Know Whom I have Believed" was sung by congregation and led by Bryan Taylor. Other music of "Blessed Assurance" was sung by Bryan Taylor and Cindy Gladden. The service concluded with "It is Well With my Soul" being sung by Bryan Taylor and accompanied by Jan Weisel.

Committal prayer and burial with full military honors by the U.S. Army and the St. James VFW were in the Steelville Cemetery.

Honored to be casket bearers were David Howald, Jonathan Howald, Trenton Kenagy, Sean Kenagy, Allison Caudle and Leroy Martin. Honorary casket bearers were Jim Barksdale, John Britton, Ken Halbert, Charles Chipman, Floyd Reed, Jim Vaughn, Dan Cape and Larry Laney.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.