Howard Shumate

Howard Edward Shumate, Age 103, passed away at home on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. He was born and raised in Mount Sterling, Ohio, to the late James and Christine (Kleebauer) Shumate. He is preceded in death by his father James Shumate, and mother Christine (Kleebauer) Shumate; his loving wife Ermalee (Younkin) Shumate; brother Arthur, and sisters Lois, Janice, Mildred, Betty, and Ruth; daughter-in-law Pamela; and niece Beverly (Shumate) Major.

Howard is survived by his step-son Stephen (Lora) Bowers, and step-daughter Diane (Bowers) (Jim) Sarver of Piqua, OH; Howard never thought of his step-children as such. He always referred to them as his children and he loved them as his own. Sister: Nancy (Shumate) Hall of London OH; grandchildren: Angel Sarver, Amy (Sarver) Meyers, Karen Bowers, Howard Edward Bowers (named after Howard), Amanda (Bowers) Quintanilla, Dustin Bowers, Todd Hofflander, and Jenifer Bostick; and sixteen great-grandchildren; Nephews: Bill and Bob Hughes of Pittsburg, PA, Steve and Willie Graves of Columbus, OH; nieces: Debbie French, Sandy Huff of Columbus, OH, Nancy Hughes of London, OH, and Donna Seaburn of Mt. Sterling, OH; several great-nieces and nephews. He attended the one-room school house on Chrisman Road until the 8th grade. During cold weather he would go early and start the fire to warm up the school house. He attended his freshman year at Sedalia then dropped out at which time he helped on the farm with his parents. He then went to work at Curtis Wright until he felt he needed to join the military. 

Howard wanted to join the U.S. Navy but was rejected due to an eardrum problem, He was later drafted by the U.S. Air Force where he served as a cook. He entered the U.S. Air Force on Sept 26, 1942, and came home on January 8, 1946. During his deployment he contracted the mumps, coincidently the only one in his unit, forcing him a longer stay at one point before getting orders to go to the Philippines. When he received orders, Japan had surrendered, so Howard was discharged and went back to the farm where he farmed with his dad.

A farm accident where he had his leg broken in several places changed his life forever for it was at that time he met his soon-to-be wife, Ermalee. It was said that the only reason he was caught to be married was due to the fact he couldn't run fast enough on the crutches. Ermalee had two children, Diane and Steve, and so they began a life of farming raising corn, beans, wheat, hogs, cattle, and children. Howard had few hobbies as farming was full-time, but he did manage to play music in a band and when he met Ermalee, she being an accomplished pianist began to play together at church. Howard played the guitar some but mostly the upright base which when they went on the road to play at other venues, he would load the base into the Pontiac car they had.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 11:00am-1:00pm with Funeral Services to follow at 1:00pm, at the PORTER-TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 331 W. MAIN STREET, MT. STERLING, OH, 43143. (740) 869-2777. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, OH.