Virgil C. Howser, of Dixon, was born on January 24, 1919, in Miller County, a son of Fredrick Charles and Maudie (Hale) Howser and departed this life at 2:50 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2017 in the Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla. Mr. Howser had attained the age of 98 years and 2 days.

Mr. Howser was united in marriage on October 22, 1942, at St. Louis, to Katie Dake and to this union, one son was born. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Maudie Howser; three brothers, Roe Howser, Alston Howser and Robert Howser and two sisters, Eva Goodman and Minnie Evans.

Mr. Howser was a United States Army veteran of World War II having served from April 1, 1941 until November 7, 1945. During his military career he worked with mule packs during the war, in India, Burma and China, going over the Burma Road. Prior to his enlistment in the Army he had worked in CC Camps in 1940.

Mr. Howser was baptized early in life and a longtime member of the Burnett Fundamental Christian Church near Dixon. He had been employed by General Motors, St. Louis; Missouri Department of Transportation, and worked in maintenance at Brown Shoe Company, Dixon as well as being a farmer. Mr. Howser enjoyed fishing, playing cards, reading Westerns and working in his yard and garden.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Howser include: his wife of over 74 years, Katie Howser, Dixon; one son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Doris Howser, Dixon; one granddaughter and her husband, Whitney and Michael Nolan, St. Louis; two great-granddaughters, Madelyn and Katelyn Nolan; five sisters-in-law, Ethel Dake, Charlcie Howser, Helen Nichols, Lois Howser and Bernadine Howser; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Howser at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2017, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon with Pastor David Hokanson, Laquey and Tommy Nichols, Dixon officiating. Chuck Barber sang "Amazing Grace" and "Consider the Lilies" for the service.

Interment was in the Seaton Cemetery near Dixon under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for Mr. Howser were Vernon Goodman, Matt Howser, Ronnie Hale, Lonnie Vineyard, Robbie Dake and Michael Nolan. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Fenton, Keith Lawson, Paul Evans, Mike Nichols, John Motel and Jamey Diffee.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the American Heart Association with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.