Airsman Hires Funeral Directors
Ms. Rhonda J. Howerton
October 29, 1959 - June 20, 2012
Visitation: Services:
June 25, 2012
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Friends may call after 12:00pm 		June 26, 2012
10:00am
Williamson Funeral Home: Williamson Funeral Home
1405 Lincoln Ave.Jacksonville, IL 62650 1405 Lincoln Ave.Jacksonville, IL 62650
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Rhonda J. Howerton, 52, of Naples passed away Wednesday morning, June 20, 2012 in Ninnekah, OK. She was born October 29, 1959 in Jacksonville the daughter of Fenton Edward Stout and Betty Smith. She married James Howerton and they had two children. She is survived by two sons, James (wife, Lori) Howerton, Jr. of Ninnekah, OK and Wesley (companion, Emily Boston) Howerton of Jacksonville; one grandson, Gavin Howerton; her mother, Betty Smith of Jacksonville; one brother, Fenton Edward “Ed” Stout, Jr. of Woodson; one sister, Connie S. Baker of Woodson and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her father and one sister, Dianna L. Pennell. Rhonda graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1978. She was employed at Illinois College as the Director of Mail Services and was a member of Central Christian Church. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family and researching genealogy. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Williamson Funeral Home with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. Friends may call after 12 noon on Monday with the family to meet friends from 4-7. Memorials are suggested to Central Christian Church. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.
Memory Book
Wes and Jimmy...I was saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. You guys are always in my thoughts. Please keep in touch.
-sent by Tom Martin
Rhonda was always so willing to help with any project that I brought to the mail room or copy center, and she always made time to catch up on happenings since the last time that we had talked. She was a joy to be with as a co-worker and as a truly caring friend. She will be missed by so many. I pray for God's comfort and renewed hope for family and loved ones.
-sent by Rob Sweatman
Anytime I walked into the mailroom Rhonda was always there to greet me with a smile. I would sometimes walk over to the mailroom from Gardner just to have a conversation with her. She was so sweet to me and made my day brighter just by talking with her. She was always so positive and upbeat. She is one of the sweetest persons I have ever met and will be thoroughly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family on the loss of a wonderful person.
-sent by Mitchell Neally
Rhonda's presence in the mail-room is definitely one that will be missed. The dark gloomy room was brightened every time I went in there by her smile and cheerful attitude. She was always very friendly and nice to everyone I ever saw in there. I definitely will miss the conversations that always came with every trip I took there. My condolences and prayers go out to your family. Rhonda was a wonderful lady.
-sent by Joe Gaines
Our heart & prayers are with you! I we are so sorry to hear about Rhonda . We had a lot of fun together! I'll always remember what a great friend she was! She will always have a special place in our hearts!
-sent by Diana Hoots & Denise Gilliam
I hold several fond memories of working for Rhonda in the mailroom. She will always be one of many bright spots during my time at Illinois College. My deepest sympathies go out to her family.
-sent by Jeff Whiteside
I started working for Rhonda last fall. As soon as I walked in the mail room doors on my first day of work she took me in and treated me as if I was her own child. She was so good to all of her student workers and we all looked up to her as a mother figure. Whether she was feeding us some of her awesome cheese balls or checking in on our day to day life Rhonda was always compassionate, protective, and loving towards us. Her love for her family was evident in all she did. She constantly talked about Wes, Jimmy, and Gavin. I am so sorry to hear about this loss and my prayers are with the entire family.
-sent by Lauren Wilson
Rhonda will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family but most especially Jimmy and Wes. Your mom always had you both first in her heart.
-sent by Jaime Klein
We spent many hours trying to uncover the intended recipients for mail items. From nicknames to parent names, we tried as many options as we could conjure up. She hated to have to send something back when we couldn't figure out the right person for a piece of mail. She was always cheerful and patient with our mistakes. She kept up with changing postal regulations and tried to keep us on the right track. During her sister's illness, my brother became ill. She always asked how he was doing. I will miss her cheery voice calling with another mystery to solve. Our prayers are with you all.
-sent by Helen Kuhn
My condolences to you all. Rhonda gave many years of great service to the College and most importantly to our students. I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
-sent by Karen Homolka
My deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved Rhonda. Rhonda and I often chatted when I dropped into the mail room, and she was always kind and cheerful. When she learned that my wife was chronically ill, Rhonda always made a point of asking how my wife was, and I very much appreciated how thoughtful she was. I will miss her very much, as will all of us at Illinois College.
-sent by Robert Kunath
So sorry to hear about Rhonda. She will be missed alot. I hope everyone else is doing good. Love, Evelyn
-sent by Evelyn (Troutt) Scoggins
What a sad loss for the Howerton family. My prayers are with you. Rhonda was my supervisor in the mailroom during my college years at IC. She cared so much about her student workers, always making sure we got to class on time and even buying us gifts at Christmas. She played a motherly role to all of us (whether we wanted her to or not!) Her generous spirit and contagious laugh will not be forgotten. May the memories of her wonderful life bring you comfort during this difficult time.
-sent by Julie Surratt Wilkinson
The Illinois College Office of Admission sends our deepest sympathy to the family. Rhonda was such a great person to work with and beloved member of the Illinois College family. We will miss her humor, bright smile, and amazing personality. Rhonda was a true blessing to those who she touched. Thank you Rhonda for all the great memories you brought to each and every one of us.
-sent by IC Office of Admission
Always the sweetest, with a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers to all family, friends, and students.
-sent by Meagan Donahue
I have lost a co-worker, but more important I have lost a friend. My heart goes out to the family with the loss they have to cope with so suddendly.
-sent by Sheila Duesterhaus
Rhonda will be greatly missed at IC by all. She was a wonderful addition to our campus family. I hold fond memories of visiting the mail room, both as a student and as a staff member, and talking with Rhonda. My condolences to the family.
-sent by Sarah Briggs
I will miss my visits with Rhonda. She was a great person. My heart goes out to her family during this sad and painful time.
-sent by Doug Allgaier
Dear Jimmy, Lori, Gavin and Wesley, Your mom was such a dear friend. I remember alot of good times with her. The holidays; she just loved the holidays. Her Christmas village was always such a special thing for decorating and her tree. We had some wonderful times together just talking and laughing about everything. I will truly miss seeing her and talking whenever we each had a spare moment. She always had a bright spot for each of you boys and Gavin. My prayers are with you all and may her soul rest in peace. Hugs to each one of you.
-sent by Deb Hoots
I cannot begin to express how sorry I am for such a devastating loss. Rhonda was a wonderful person and friend to so many. She truly cared about the students at Illinois College. She not only remembered, but even kept in touch with them. Nathan and I were lucky enough to be a couple of those students that had her in our lives for longer than 4 years. If it were not for her, we might not have even met or got married. She meant so much to us and we will truly miss being able to call her up to talk about life. Wes, you are such a strong person. Your mom was so proud of you and all of her family. At this difficult time, hold on to your wonderful memories with her.
-sent by Kirbee Womble
I am very sad to hear this news. Wes and Jimmy, your mom was one of the first people I got to know when I came to Jacksonville and I enjoyed her great cheer, generous spirit, and friendship all these years. Keep in touch, please. Mrs. Smith, I can't even imagine your loss. I wish you and your family well.
-sent by Cindy Cochran
Rhonda had a connection to her student workers that is hard to match. She took the time to know the students. She always helped me in mailing packages and gave us an opportunity to catch up on things. She had a great sense of humor and made me laugh! Last week she had me slapping the table with laughter and I am stunned with what has happened. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family in this difficult time.
-sent by Melissa Dyson
Wes an family, my thoughts an prayers are with each of you .
-sent by Mary burns
My heart and prayers are with the Stout family today.So very sorry for your loss. We were neighbors years ago,and I remember good times with Rhonda and Pickle, it seems like yesterday. May God comfort you at this difficult time.
-sent by Leslie Pevey Pitts
I was stunned to hear this news. My thought and prayers to the family.
-sent by Marjorie Meier
Rhonda was such a joy. As an international student she always helped me package things I sent to my family, and I got to know her well while both of us tried to squeeze gifts into small boxes. She was so caring, curious to learn about us the students and our home countries.. and her conversations were always a joy. We talked about cooking, holidays, sports and politics. IC will miss Rhonda and her lovely presence.. Our thoughts are with her family and our brother Wes Howerton. Our condolences to all and may her soul rest in peace
-sent by Samer Anabtawi
Rhonda was a bright spot for me at Illinois College. From decorating our Christmas Tree in Sturtevant to cheerfully tending to my large and frequent packages in the mail room, she was always a job ... and we didn't confine our conversations to buildings and packages. I.C. won't be the same without her. Thoughts, prayers and condolences to all.
-sent by Wendy McCarty
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time she will be missed here on campus.
-sent by Jaclyn Farmer and Rev. Jenkins
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.You have been through so much this year,stay strong.
-sent by Shelby (landes)Staake
My heart goes out to the family for the loss of Rhonda. I am in shock, not sure how to grasp this sudden loss of an old friend. I have so many great memories of the friendship we shared in high school and years after. She was one special lady and will be missed by many.
-sent by Cindy Cox Suiter
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