Clifford "Keith" Howard

Clifford “Keith” Howard of Burlington, IA went home to be with Jesus on Monday May 9, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on Christmas Day 1941 in Quincy, IL to William Roy Howard Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Kistner) Zippe. Keith met his sweetheart one day and just kept asking her out until she finally relented, marrying Rita Marie Cline at St. Mary’s Church in West Burlington on June 11, 1966. 

Keith was a graduate of Burlington High School and of the University of Iowa. He served in the 1st Infantry Division of the US Army until his medical discharge. He worked for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown from 1966 to 2010, retiring as an Accounting Manager. He also worked part-time as a referee for the Iowa High School Athletics Association for many years. 

Keith was a man of great faith in Jesus and was driven by the desire to serve God and love others. He served his local parish as a long-time Lector and Eucharistic Minister, and taught religious education classes as the need arose. He was a dedicated member of many organizations, including Knights of Columbus #563, Boy Scouts of America Troop 3 (St. John’s) and Troop 15 (Hope Haven), and Compassionate Friends. He volunteered frequently for Hopefully Yours Consignment Shop, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Hope Haven events including Special Olympics, and many more events and organizations. He touched lives wherever he went, always willing to listen to and counsel others. In his downtime, Keith enjoyed writing poetry, playing games with family, and sharing puns and “Dad Jokes.” 

Keith is survived by his cherished wife of 55 years, Rita; his children, Kristina (David) Allen of rural West Point, Elizabeth (Matt) Trexel of rural Burlington, and Brandon (Megan) Howard of Middletown; his grandchildren, Steven, Autumn, Lidiya, and Mitchell Trexel, Eliza, Micah, and Jonah Howard; his great grandson, Josiah Trexel; his siblings, Jim Howard, Clarence “Fred” (Sherry) Howard, Joseph Zippe, and Nancy Zippe; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, William “Bill” Roy Howard Jr. and Marty Zippe; and two children, Lisa and Scott Howard. 

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Keith will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Divine Mercy Parish -SS Mary & Patrick Catholic Church in West Burlington, IA, with internment following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Burlington.

Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends following a 4:00 PM Rosary Service and 4:30 PM Military Honors on Monday, May 16, 2022 at Prugh-Thielen Funeral Home.

Memorials have been established for Hope Haven and Transitions DMC of Burlington. 

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