Howard Mahlon Heath

Untitled web

Feb. 16, 1924 – June 25, 2015

Born in Glendive, Montana, Howard was one of four children born to Mahlon and Estella Heath. He spent his early childhood there on a small ranch before the family moved to Marion, Iowa.

Howard enjoyed playing the saxophone in the band and orchestra at Marion High School where he met his future wife, Ethel Mae Coon.

After graduation, Howard joined the Navy and served in World War II from 1942-1946. He was deployed with the USS Feland in the South Pacific and the USS Clay before returning to Coronado. He took a little time from the Navy in 1945 to marry Ethel Mae and set up their home in San Diego.

After his discharge, they moved to Glendale where he attended Woodbury College and earned his bachelor’s in business education. However, he ended up working in machining for Mytron Mfg. where he eventually became a “jack-of-all-trades” for the company and continued working there until his retirement.

He has always enjoyed working with his hands and built a number of different items, from toys to hope chests for his grandchildren and other friends. He also enjoyed bowling and continued that into his 90s.

Howard passed away on Thursday, June 25. He is survived by his children and their spouses, David and Deanna Heath and Barbara and Marlin Summers; four grandchildren, Stephen Summers, Robyn Harvey, Joseph Summers and Rebekah Maurice; and six great grandchildren.

Services were held July 1 at Light on the Corner Church in Montrose where he was a member since 1950.