Howard Tarr (83) of Newton

Howard Delaine Tarr, age 83, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 6:28 PM Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Howard’s life will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, May 30, at the Scott Avenue Christian Church 404 Scott Avenue Newton, Illinois, with Kevin Colclasure and Gary Hall officiating. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois, with full military rites by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday at the church. In loving memory of Howard, memorials may be made to the Scott Avenue Christian Church 404 Scott Avenue Newton, Illinois 62448. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.

Howard was born on October 15, 1935, in Wheeler, Illinois, the son of Vern and Vada Belle (Shoemaker) Tarr. He married Connie Birch on April 13, 1963, at the South Muddy Church in rural Ingraham, Illinois, and she survives. Howard graduated from Newton Community High School in 1954. After graduation Howard went to work for B.B. Brummer Wholesale, where he worked until 1958, when we went into the service. He served his country in the United States Army as a medic serving in Germany until he was discharged in 1960. After the service, Howard went to work as a route salesman for B.B. Brummer Wholesale in Newton for 34 years and Central Cigar for 16 years. In the last few years, Howard could be seen helping his son Brett with the Squeaky Clean Car Wash in Newton.

Howard was a charter member of Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, Illinois. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.

Howard is survived by: Wife of 56 years – Connie Tarr of Newton, Illinois; Children – Tamara (Richard) Phillips of Newton, Illinois; Danette (Joe) Williamson of Effingham, Illinois and Brett (Lori) Tarr of Newton, Illinois; Grandchildren – Kiley Phillips and McKenzie Phillips both of Nashville, Tennessee; Clark Williamson, Courtney Williamson and Macey Williamson all of Effingham, Illinois; Andrew Tarr and Grant Tarr both of Newton, Illinois; Great Granddaughter – Lilliana Eskridge of Nashville, Tennessee; Brothers – Richard Tarr of Charleston, Illinois and Kendall (Zana) Tarr of Newton, Illinois; Sister – Marcella Street of Wheeler, Illinois.

Howard was preceded in death his parents, two brothers Donald Tarr and Robert Tarr; three sisters Virginia Kuhring, Margaret Schultz and Norma Jean Tarr.