Howard Julius Lorentz, 90, of Cape Coral, Florida, formerly of Rockwood, Chester, Carbondale and Marion, Illinois died January 7, 2012. He was the son of Herman "Dutch" Julius and Orlena Sylvia (Carr) Lorentz. He was born May 11, 1921 in the coal-mining town of Hallidayboro, Illinois Howard was married to Juanita Rodewald for 64 years. She preceded him in death on July 3, 2005. Sometimes, he would ice skate on the slough and the creek to attend the one/two-room elementary school in Rockwood. A long flat-bed truck, outfitted with benches along the sides and down the center, served as the school bus to attend Gorham High School. The harsh times of the Great Depression prevented Howard, a valedictorian with a scholarship, from attending college. Family survival meant working with his parents in activities ranging from the salvage and sale of scrap metals to the growing of popcorn to sell in St. Louis. Howard and his wife Juanita worked for a few years at the International Shoe Factory in Chester. General Telephone Company of Illinois provided Howard a three and a half decade career wherein he started with climbing poles and retired in district management. An avid hunter and fisherman, Howard could also be found enjoying the Ebenezer Church's annual home-made ice cream festival, playing tennis in Cole Memorial Park or managing the Lion's Club turtle-racing booth at the local carnival. As president (and tournament winner), Howard led the facility and program developments of Chester's first golf course, a nine-hole sand-green facility on the scenic bluffs of Kaskaskia State Park where copperhead snakes were a much bigger hazard than either the rugged terrain or the sand traps. Howard was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chester, Illinois and Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Coral, Florida. As long-term chairperson of Trinity's Board of Trustees during his retirement years, he contracted and supervised water, sewer and building construction, as well as other major projects. He greatly improved electrical efficiency, performed a wide variety of repairs, applied his woodworking talents and groomed the ten-acre church and school campus. In recognition of his Trustee leadership and outstanding work ethic, the Trinity Congregation members named and dedicated a building to honor their beloved friend, Howard. Survivors: 1 Son: Royce Allen Lorentz Slippery Rock, PA 1 Grandson: Jay Christopher (Tina Marie) Lorentz 2 Great Grandchildren: Emma Sophia Lorentz Henry Julius Lorentz Preceded in death by: Parents, Wife - Juanita Lorentz and In-laws - Christian "Chris" Martin & Mina (Lawder) Rodewald Funeral Service: 12:00 pm, Saturday, January 14, 2012 Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, IL Officiating: Rev. Peter Ill Visitation: Saturday - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Interment: Paradise Cemetery Steeleville, Illinois Memorial Preference: Slippery Rock Community Library
