Howard Estes

On the morning of Sunday May 29, 2016 Howard Estes passed away in Hampton Cove Alabama. Howard was born June 12, 1922 in Hardy Arkansas to James Cullum Estes and Bernice Emmaline (Felkins) Estes.

Howard is survived by his wife Bonnie (Lafferty) of Rockford Illinois, son Howard D. (Marie) Estes of Hampton Cove, step-sons Scott (June) Lafferty and Spencer (Mary Joe) Lafferty of Rockford Illinois. He is also survived by grandchildren Becky (John) Neill of Hampton Cove, Adam Howard Estes of Huntsville, Elizabeth (Will) Dunlap of Huntsville, John Wilson of Port Orchard, Washington, and Tonya (Jeff) Van Meter of Dix, Illinois. He is also survived by step grandchildren Melissa (Chris) Luebke of Loves Park Illinois, Kristy (Michael) Brandon of Rockford, Illinois and Ben (Erica) Lafferty of Flossmoor Illinois and Jesse (Nikki) Lafferty of Richland Center Wisconsin, Naomi Lafferty of Kansas City Missouri and Luke (Jessica) Lafferty of Richland Center Wisconsin. He is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his younger brother Carlton (Babe) Estes of Maryville Illinois and his first wife Joyce (Lee) Spencer of Owens Crossroads Alabama.

He was preceded in death by his father James Cullum Estes and mother Bernice Emmaline (Felkins) Estes, his two daughters Emma (Estes) Wilson and Linda (Estes) Goldsmith of Illinois, his brothers; Lester Estes, Leotus Estes, J.T. Estes, Earl Estes, James Rowe Estes, Charles Estes, Owen Estes, Everett Estes and his sister Dessie (Estes) Lillard. He was also preceded in death by his 2nd wife Betty (Franklin) Estes of Granite City, Illinois and step son Danny Lafferty of Boaz Wisconsin.

In his teen years Mr. Estes supported his family by farming and logging in North Arkansas. He later joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked in Nebraska. Later he served in the 109th Construction Battalion (Seabees) of the USN during WWII in the South Pacific. After the war he worked at Monsanto Chemical Company in East St. Louis Illinois where he retired in 1972. He lived in Cherokee Village Arkansas and Freeport Illinois during the early years of his retirement. From 2010 thru 2015 he resided at Heritage Woods of Rockford Illinois. In January 2016 he moved to Hampton Cove from Rockford Illinois.

Mr. Estes was an avid golfer and an accomplished musician. He was a member of the VFW and a regular in the men's league at Park Hills Golf Course in Freeport Illinois for many years. Howard and his wife Bonnie provided musical entertainment for numerous retirement and nursing homes in Northern Illinois.

Cremation rites have been accorded.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday June 11, 2016 at Walker Mortuary in Freeport.
His remains will be buried at Grand View Cemetery in Freeport.

Please leave a message in Howard's guestbook at www.wakermortuary.com