Ronnie Eric Howell

Ronnie Eric Howell, 73, of Gurnee, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on August 3, 2021. He was born on August 15, 1947 in Granite Falls, NC to the late Oscar Vance and Ruth (nee Coffey) Howell.

Ron was a loving husband, father, papa, brother and friend to all. Always humble, he will be remembered for his kind and gentle spirit along with his creativity and talents as an artist, luthier, musician, puppeteer, sculptor and teacher. Ron was happiest when he was teaching, playing music with his family and friends, building his musical instruments, or spending time being silly with his grandchildren.

After receiving his art education degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, Ron served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He then moved to the Chicago area where he received a degree in Comprehensive Design from the University of Illinois and met his wife, Cindy. He worked as a graphics designer for WorldBook Encyclopedia and Childcraft in Chicago before taking a job in North Carolina as an Art Director for a marketing agency in Hickory.

In Hickory, Ron spent many years working freelance as an illustrator and graphic designer for the furniture industry before moving with his family back to Illinois.Here he worked as a bronze sculptor. His life-sized bronze of a police officer with two children stands in front of the Gurnee police station. Ron ended his career teaching in the art department along with his wife at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa, IL. Once retired, Ron focused his attention on building beautiful musical instruments, going on camping and hiking trips with his family, and loving his role as “Papa”.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Siegel Howell and their three children, Megan (Adam) Bishop of Vista, CA; Kimberly (Steve) Sheya of Lindenhurst, IL and Eric Howell of Gurnee, IL; his grandchildren, Lexie, Kylie, Avery, Ethan, Miles, Weston and Wyatt; his siblings, Mary Frances (Charles) Bright, Maxine Overbay, Bobby (Pat) Howell, Johnny (Sandra) Howell, and Daniel (Yvette) Howell; as well as sisters-in-law, Margie Howell and Patti Howell. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret (John Allen) Moretz; brothers, Oscar Vance Jr. (Donna) Howell, Billy Howell and sister-in-law Rachel Howell.

A Celebration of Ron’s life with eulogies and music will be held graveside Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 10 AM at Windridge Memorial Park and Nature Sanctuary, 7014 S Rawson Bridge Rd, Cary, IL 60013. Interment to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ron’s name may be made to National Park Foundation, www.nationalparks.org