Eloise N. (Nettles) Howard

Eloise Howard, 96, passed into eternity to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 22, 2023. Eloise was born in the coal mining town of Widen, West Virginia on October 15, 1927, and grew up in a small 2-bedroom home with her seven siblings. She married Gilbert in 1946 and they had six children over the next 20 years; a matched set of three girls followed by three boys. They lived in West Virginia, and then Ohio starting in 1952; the longest periods in Columbia Station, Strongsville, and Elyria.

Gilbert came to trust in the Lord in the late 1940s and Eloise did shortly thereafter. This led to a devotion to God that caused them to study His Word and serve in His churches for the rest of their lives. Eloise had been back in the Northeast Ohio area since 1998 and was a vibrant member of Grace Church of North Olmsted. Over the years many said her genuine and friendly interest in them was a great cause of their own connection to the church.

Eloise was a devoted wife to her husband Gilbert, being an energetic helpmate to him for 51 years. She was a dedicated mother to her children, providing for day-to-day needs in a loving way, and liberally sprinkling in fun times and games. She spoke of her love of Christ and prayed for her children and grandchildren. She is called “blessed by her children” (Proverbs 31:28).

Eloise worked in various roles in her life to help her family and community. She was an aide in the Strongsville School system for many years, and more recently was a volunteer at the Elyria Memorial Hospital.

She is survived by her daughters Sandy Kurcsak (Norm), and Terri Geneaux , and sons David Howard (Suzy), and Steve Howard (Becky), brother Sterling Nettles (Norma), and son-in-law Dave Ott. She also leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Eloise is preceded in death by her husband, daughter Linda Ott, her son Danny Howard, son-in-law Dan Geneaux, and great-grandchildren Ethan and Natalie.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 27, 2023, from 11:00am until the time of the service at 12:30pm at Grace Church of North Olmsted, 4816 Dover Center Rd, North Olmsted. Pastor Dean Good will lead the service. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted where she will be buried with her husband Gilbert and son Danny.

Please join us as we honor her Savior and celebrate her entrance into eternal, glorious fellowship with him.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eloise N. (Nettles) Howard, please visit our floral store.