Howard E. McDannel

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Howard E. McDannel, 72, passed away at 6:37 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Howard was born July 27, 1937, in Detroit, Mich., to Arvel and Ruby (Turnage) McDannel. He married Iva Lee Hinchcliff on March 24, 1957, at Mt. Moriah Church in Creal Springs.

The first four years of their marriage, Howard served his country in the United States Air Force. Iva Lee was a homemaker. They eventually settled in Creal Springs, where they raised their family.

Howard was a General Baptist minister for 31 years and pastored various churches in Southern Illinois during that time. In 1997, he retired as plant manager of Southern Illinois Power. He loved to travel and work with wood. Above all, he loved his God and his family with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Iva Lee; a daughter, Sandy Adams and husband Larry; and a son, Keith and wife Kim. He is also survived by two brothers, William "Bud" McDannel and wife Rosemary and Jim McDannel. He also has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 12, 2010, at Mt. Moriah Church, 1563 Palzo Road, Creal Springs. The Rev. Jeff Owens will officiate the service. Burial will be at the Simmons Cemetery in Creal Springs. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010, also at Mt. Moriah Church.

Memorial donations are suggested, in lieu of flowers, to the Ohio General Baptist Camp Oxford to support the Carpenters for Christ renovations scheduled in June.

Family members would like to extend a special thank-you to friends and family for their prayers and support.

Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills is in charge of arrangements.