Howard M. Hamra

Howard M. Hamra, 95, of Arlington Heights, IL (formerly of Pekin, IL) passed away at 2:55 pm, Friday, December 9, 2022, at Journey Care Hospice Home in Barrington, IL with his beloved son and daughter-in-law by his side. Born in Steele, MO to Muschell and Dorothy (Howard) Hamra on July 19, 1927, he had a happy childhood making memories that would stay with him until his final days. At 16 years old Howard attended college eventually earning his degree from Arkansas State University at 19. While there he was a cheerleader and pledged Sigma Chi fraternity. It was there he received his teaching certification a vocation he would cherish all his life. He married Colleen B. Hamra on March 1, 1979, in Las Vegas. She preceded him in death on November 12, 2017. Howard was also preceded by his beloved grandmother Big Mama, his parents, and his two siblings sister, Virginia Dean Harris, and brother, Phillip A. Hamra. He is survived by his two children daughter, Renee (Lee) Long of Osage Beach, MO, and son, Dean (Gloria) Hamra of Arlington Heights, IL as well as three step-sons, David (Debra) Rockhold of Pekin, IL, Darren Rockhold of Peoria, IL and Dirk (Theresa) Rockhold of Walcott, IA. Howard is also survived by two grandchildren, Jared (Arianna) Long, of Osage Beach, MO and Kinsey Louise (Oscar) Hamra-Mller of Greystones, Ireland as well as eight step-grandchildren: Jacqueline (Elvis) Adams, Jeff (Kara) Long, Valerie (Aaron) Sharp, Matthew (Erin) Rockhold, Bryce Collin Rockhold, Dustin Bragg, Andrew (Nikita) Janssen and Lydia Janssen. As well as numerous great-grandchildren. Howard was a World War II Navy veteran having served on the USS Jesse Rutherford in the South Pacific. He was a proud veteran, but his true calling was education. Howard worked as a teacher and principal for Pekin Public Schools for 35 years, retiring in 1983 as Principal of Broadmoor Junior High School. After his retirement he was the President of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and maintained a group of teaching friends that would meet once a month for lunch for decades after retirement. Howard always enjoyed a busy social life, especially after his retirement, never liking to sit still. He was very active in the Masons, previously serving as Worshipful Master for his lodge in Pekin. Howard was also an avid traveler, voyaging all over the world on cruises and trips with his wife Colleen. While they saw many extraordinary places, when asked of his favourite place hed visited, he would always smile and say it was seeing the tulips and windmills in the Netherlands. Howard spent his final 5 years living with his son and daughter-in-law in Arlington Heights, IL where he was lovingly embraced by an even wider family and friends. He loved spending days at the club (Cherished Place Adult Day Club) or watching Wheel of Fortune on the sofa at home with his best buddy, Stella the cockapoo. But Howard was also lucky to be surrounded by a large community of loved-ones where there was always a social gathering to attend where he could share his memories and stories with eager ears he loved every minute. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, 2131 Velde Dr, Pekin, IL. A visitation will be held one hour prior from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, also at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lutheran Home/Cherished Place Adult Day Club/MySolutions at 800 W. Oakton St, Arlington Heights, IL or Boys and Girls Club of Pekin, 1101 Veerman, Pekin, IL 61554. Memorial Service Saturday, January 7, 2023 11:00 AM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554 Visitation Saturday, January 7, 2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554