Howard Dean Spillers

Howard Dean Spillers, 72, of Crystal Lake passed away June 11, 2021.  He was born in Kalamazoo, MI on May 21, 1949 to Dean and Ida Spillers.

He had many passions in his life. In high school and college, Howard was an award-winning trumpet player and continued to play throughout his life and excelled at baseball as a pitcher. He attended the aviation program at Western Michigan University and graduated in 1971. He worked for a few commuter airlines before landing his big break as a pilot for American Airlines from 1985 until 2011 when he retired with Captain status. He traveled through his work to many places and gave interesting accounts of time spent in many countries.

Howard and Ruth Ann Woodworth met through mutual friends and, after two years of dating, decided to elope in Maui, HI on May 23, 1988.  They made their home in Crystal Lake and raised their daughter, Alison.

Survivors include his daughter, Alison; sisters, Lynn Crandall (Michael), Carol Scott, and Mari Kern (Allan), as well as, his nieces, Michelle DiConcilio, Gwen (Chris) Smith and Dawn (Bret) Bradbury; nephews, David Spillers, James Kurtz (Kim), Daniel Kurtz (Cara), and Andrew Kurtz (Abby); and grandniece,  Hope Kurtz.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann, on June 16, 2012.

He loved his family and friends, who appreciated his kind and gentle manner and enthusiasm for life.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, June 18th, from 4pm until the time of a service at 6:30pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.