Howard L. Pentecost

Howard Lavern Pentecost, 89, of Marion died August 24, 2011 at Marion Rehab and Nursing Center. He was born October 17, 1921 in Williamson County to Robert Houston and Martha Naomi (Frey) Pentecost. Howard married Geneva Miller on March 9, 1946 and they shared 52 years of marriage before her death in 1998. He served in the US Army during World War II as a gunner on a 90mm anti-aircraft gun. He served in the European -African-Middle Eastern campaigns and was honorably discharged in 1945. As a young boy, he liked to "play store" - making his own paper money and dreaming of owning his own business. That dream became a reality when Howard and Geneva owned and operated the Do It Yourself Home Center, formerly Millers Home Supply, for many years. As a teen-ager he served as Sunday School Superintendent of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church. He was active in mission work in the Chicago area and helped start the Woodhill Baptist Church in the Park Forest area. He served several years as a deacon at Marion Second Baptist Church and later attended Community of Faith in Marion. He is survived by his daughter, Lana Wright of Marion; son, Teddy (Sue) Pentecost of Marion; five grandchildren: Chris (Amber) Pentecost of Crab Orchard, IL., Joshua Wright of Clarksville, Tennessee, Benji (Christy) Wright of Herrin, IL., Mark (Jennifer) Pentecost of Crab Orchard, IL., Sarah Wright (fiance Brett Walters) of Metropolis, IL; great-grandchildren: Karigan Wright and Braxton Wright of Herrin, Kaden Pentecost, Sabbi and Mikkala Church, Jazmine Downey of Crab Orchard. He is survived by sisters-in-law: Marlin Pentecost of East Peoria, IL., Berniece Pentecost of Mulkeytown, IL., and Florence Owens of Crete, IL. He is also survived by his faithful companions (St. Bernards), Gebe and Bruzer. He leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews - many remember him as Uncle Gorilla. Howard was preceded in death by his wife Geneva Pentecost; parents, Robert and Naomi Pentecost, four brothers and 3 sisters - Orville (Afton) Pentecost, Opal (Jesse) Gurley, Opha (Ben) Malacarne, Lewis Pentecost, Carl Pentecost, Dorothy (Clarence) Meinders and Alonzo Pentecost. Memorial services will be 11:00 am, Saturday August 27, 2011 at Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Jeff Owens officiating. Visitation will be Friday, August 26, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial with military rites will be in Masonic Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Arthritis Foundation.