January 12, 2022
Chizuko Fukui Howard, widow of the late Haskel Elby Howard, U.S. Navy Retired age 88 of Smithville passed away on Monday evening, January 10, 2022 at her residence. She was born March 2, 1933 in Amagasaki, Japan to her parents, the late Masazo and Kikue Fukui. Chizuko was married March 1, 1962 to Haskel Elby Howard, U.S. Navy Retired at the American Embassy in Kobe, Japan. She moved to the United States in 1962 and became an American citizen on June 16, 1975. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Kenji Howard and a brother, Ryuichi (Keiko) Fukui. She is survived by 2 children, Riki (Gina) Howard of Hendersonville; Michiko (Tim) Martin of Smithville; daughter-in-law, Kelli Howard Davis of Batavia, Ohio; 7 grandchildren, Raleigh (Angela) Howard, Allison Howard and fiancé Thomas Alexander, Kenleigh Howard, Slater Howard, Hayley Martin, Raiden Martin and Madeline Martin; 1 great-grandson, Miles Howard; sister, Masako (Yukio) Nakanishi of Japan; nieces and nephews, Yuki Fukui, Miho Fukui (Hideyuki) Okumura, Eri Fukui, Yuichiro (Yayoi) Nakanishi, Masao Nakanishi. Noriko Nakanishi (Akira) Nakano; several great-nieces, nephews, cousins and other family in Japan. Ms. Howard’s request was to be cremated. There will be no public services. Family will gather at a later date for a private service at the Howard Family Cemetery in White County. In her words, “To all my friends and neighbors, no flowers please. If you wish to honor me, donate to either the High School Library, Justin Potter Library for a book about the history of the United States of America, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, American Cancer Society, Disabled American Veterans, Alzheimer’s Association or to your favorite charity.” Donations may be made to any of these by calling or coming by the funeral home or directly to any of these organizations. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.