Howard Neil Stewart

Howard Neil Stewart, 91, of 10287 Krider Road, Meadville, died Monday, June 29, 2015, peacefully at his home following a period of declining health. His family will always admire and respect him for his courageous spirit exemplified throughout his last days.

Howard was born August 10,1923, in Fairmont, West Virginia, to Ida C. and Howard Stewart. He was a graduate of Fairmont West High School where he played football and the coronet in the band. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Wilmer, Arnold, and Jack Stewart and two sisters, Dorothy Sloan and Margarite Stewart. One surviving sister, Esta Brower, resides in Wichita Falls, Texas. Three nephews, Wilmer Stewart, Jr., Arnold (Sonny) Stewart, Jr., and Denzel Sloan, Jr., and one niece, Becky Dernier, also survive.

In 1945, Howard married Mina Shull who later passed on June 16,1987. He then married Naomi Chick Custard on October 1,1989. She survives. Howard was a loving, generous husband as well as a loving and generous father to Naomi's five children: Mona Stearns (Gene), Darla Goodman (Finley), Randall Byham (Lois), Rhonda Stevenson (Richard), and Kendra Gaub (Chris). Howard was a benevolent grandfather to their eleven grandchildren: Charlotte Muckinhaupt, Mark Stearns (Nadine), Krista Godlewski (John), Jack Byham, Jeff Byham (Nina), Trina Knauff (Dave), Kaylan Stevenson, Jay Byham, Shane Goodman, Kacee Gaub, and Keegan Gaub. Howard delighted in their three great-grandchildren: Riley Stearns, Melissa Knauff, and one soon expected.

For over twenty-five years of marriage, Howard's family has always enjoyed his childhood stories of growing up in coal-mining West Virginia's depression era, his tales of playing football for Meadville's semi-professional team during the early 50s and playing on the Viscose horseshoe team, as well as thrilling retellings of tense incidents from his years of police work. He could hold his family captive with compelling stories long after a meal had ended. Howard also greatly enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends as well as coaching his grandsons with great success. He always greeted everyone with a genuine, friendly smile; a warm, firm handshake; and before long left all laughing with his endless supply of jokes.

At the start of his working career, Howard recalled doing body and fender repair in a car shop for a dollar per day. Other jobs included running a supply store for a state hospital, being a security guard for a West Virginia prison, driving bus for Blue Ridge Lines, a West Virginia transportation company, and working in the American Viscose powerhouse burning coal to make steam-generated electricity. Howard was certainly a "jack-of-all-trades" as he also worked on the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, labored as a construction worker at PPG and other building sites, and held many part-time jobs running heavy equipment and working for Layke Tool for sixteen years as a cutter and grinder.

In 1954, Stewart became a Meadville City police officer, a position he held for twenty years. Additionally, Stewart was a security guard at Conneaut Lake Park and later was the Park's police chief for two years.

During his law enforcement career, Stewart pursued advanced training at many locations. He attended the University of Southern California and Colorado College where he obtained certification in police administration and management of correctional facilities. To learn procedures for handling hostage situations and terrorist attacks, Stewart attended FBI seminars in Boardman, Ohio. From Indiana University, Stewart completed coursework in law enforcement and police administration. Stewart was an avid and accomplished marksman who received firearms training at Mercyhurst College. Stewart was certified as a National Rifle Association police firearms instructor and also a member of the Meadville Rifle and Pistol Team. In July of 1968, Stewart received commendation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Ian D. MacLennan for a competitive marksman feat accomplished by "only one of about 100,000 police officers."

In 1976, Stewart was elected to his first public office as Crawford County Sheriff. After that Stewart served as county sheriff for sixteen years being re-elected three consecutive times. Additionally, he served as warden for the Crawford County Jail as well as supervisor of the Emery Radio Control Room (now known as Crawford County Control); he held both positions for twelve years.

Besides being a past board member of the Meadville YMCA, Stewart was a member of the National Sheriffs' Association, the Pennsylvania Prison Wardens' Association, and past president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 97.

From 1994 to 2006, Stewart was elected to serve two, six-year terms as a Vernon Township Supervisor. Stewart said he was "happy to have served the citizens of Vernon Township for twelve years." Further he stated that "he tried to be conscious of costs to taxpayers during his tenure on the board." To those who worked with him and were served by him, the title of "public servant" truly befits Howard Stewart's legacy. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and community as a man who loved to live and to share life to the fullest.

Family and friends are invited to call Wednesday, July 1, from 3 to 7 pm at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, and from 10 to 11 am Thursday, July 2, at New Beginnings Church of God, 13226 Leslie Road, Meadville, where funeral services will follow at 11 am with Pastor Temple Jarrell officiating.

Howard will be laid to rest in Greendale Cemetery, West Mead Twp.

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