V. Howard Mace Jr.

Howard Mace Jr. age 87 passed away at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. He was born in Orleans to Verne H. and Pansy (Decker) Mace on May 6, 1926. Howard at age17 served his country in WWII in the US Navy as a sub-mariner in the Atlantic based out of New London, CT. He served on 3 different submarines; the R-5, the Corporal and the Sailfish. Howard was Active in the Sub-Vets organization. On September 2, 1947, he was united in marriage to Joan Dolph McDowell. In 2009 flew on the Honor Flight to Washington D C at age 82. Howard drove over the road as a trucker for over 50 years. He hauled heavy equipment, fuel and the highlight of his career was transporting Disney on Ice. He owned a Centennial Bowling center in Oberlin, KS from 1963 till 1974. He served on the Board of Directors and was V.P. of the Kansas Bowling Proprietors Assoc. from 1966 to 1972. Howard was inducted in the Hall of Bowling Fame in both North Platte and McCook. He was the State bowling Champion in both 1962, 1963. Howard bowled a high series of 771 with his highest game a 290. He loved to talk bowling with his grandson Matt that had bowled several 300 games. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, VFW and the American Legion of Oberlin. He was commissioned as an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy. Howard served as president and secretary of the Hwy 83 Association that promoted commerce on Hwy 83 from Canada to Mexico. He was preceded by his parents. He leaves to mourn his wife Joan Dolph McDowell Mace of McCook; 3 sons: Thomas Mace of San Diego, CA; Jerry Mace of Los Angeles, CA; Henry and wife Karen of Tecumseh, KS; daughter: Sandra and husband Rodney Lytle of McCook, NE; 5 grand Children: Christina(Barney) Blas; Chester Mace; Michelle (Russell) Collins; Matthew(Becky) Mace and Joshua Lytle; 6 great grandchildren: Tiara and Teyana Mace; Aleja Blas; Ivy Collins; Caden Collins and Baby Mace. Funeral services will be held at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE on Saturday April 5, 2014 10:30 a.m. with pastor Doug Griger, Rev Lorri Kentner and Mike Roth officiaitng. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery of McCook. Memorial may be left in Howard's name to either the United Methodist Church or the Community Hospital Cancer Center. Military Honors willbe performed by the American Legion of Oberlin, KS and a Naval Honors detail.