Illia Mae Howerton

Illia Mae Howerton, age 85, passed away on September 5, 2021. Illia Mae was born on July 21, 1936, in Linley Township, Mercer County, MO, the daughter of Lloyd Claire and Avis Mae (Hagan) Larason.
Illia Mae graduated from Princeton High School in 1954. She married John F. Howerton in Grandview, MO on October 17, 1964. John served in the U.S. Air Force and they were subsequently stationed at Canadian Forces Station, La Macaza, Quebec, Canada, K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Marquette, MI, Clark Air Force Base, Luzon Island, Philippines, and Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Kansas City, MO. In 1975, they moved to Grandma and Grandpa (James & Bessie) Hagan’s farm and began their new life as farmers. She was an active member in the Bethel United Methodist Church. Illia Mae also worked for banks in Princeton, MO and Lamoni, IA. She enjoyed living on the farm. She loved quilt making, gardening, and visiting with her large extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband (John), daughter (Katrina), parents (Avis & Lloyd Larason), brother (Wilber Larason), nephew (Kenneth Larason), in-laws Walter & Catherine Howerton, Foy Howerton, Jerry Howerton, and nephews Floyd Howerton and Wally Howerton

She is survived by her son, John of Dallas, TX, daughter, Paula (Tom) Degrace, Port St. Lucie, FL, granddaughter Allison (Chris) Gilmore of Athens, GA, son-in-law, Keith Scharpman of Fort Madison, IA, grandchildren, Tristan Scharpman, Burlington, IA, and Hannah Scharpman, Chicago, IL
Survivors also include Ruth Larason of Princeton, MO, William (Yvonne) Howerton, Eufala, AL, Patricia (Jerry) Walker, Abbeville, AL, Barbara (Don) Mathis, Cuthbert, GA, and Larry (Kathy) Nichols, West Plains, MO
She is also survived by a community of many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends that she lived for and loved so much.

Memorial Graveside Services and will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2021, in Bethel Cemetery, Cainsville, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Princeton, MO. The family will receive friends after the service at Bethel Church, Cainsville, MO where social distancing will be observed and masks are recommended. Memorials may be made to Bethel Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 316, Princeton, MO 64673. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com