Obituary of Imogene S. Howell

Imogene Schwob Howell, 93, of Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center, formerly of 119 Crown St, Jamestown passed away at 10:17 p.m. Tuesday (November 8, 2011) in W.C.A. Hospital. An area resident for most of her life, she was born September 10, 1918 in Jamestown, NY, the daughter of the late George G. and Gertrude M. Peterson Schwob, Sr. She was a 1937 graduate of Jamestown High School and graduated from Gowanda State Hospital School of Nursing in 1944 as a Registered Nurse. She also attended Jamestown Community College graduating in 1998 with an Associate's Degree in Arts and Sciences. Imogene was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from March 13, 1945 to January 30, 1947 during World War II. She spent two years in the Army Nurse Corps specializing in psychiatry. Her tour of duty included Camp Swift, Camp Walters, Infantry Training Replacement Center and William Beaumont Army Hospital all in Texas. Returning to Jamestown in 1968, she was employed at the Chautauqua Mental Health Clinic for 10 years. In 1982 she moved to Arizona where she worked for 10 years at the Carl Hayden Veterans Administration Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. She worked extensively with Vietnam War veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Mrs. Howell was the first woman commander for the American Legion in Chautauqua County. She served as Commander of the Ira Lou Spring Post #149 American Legion from 1976-1977. She was also a life member, over 45 years, of the Ira Lou Spring Post. In 1977 she served as Chautauqua County American Legion Chaplain and was the New York State Sergeant-at-Arms in 1978. As a long time member of the Jamestown Veteran's Council she helped organize the annual Jamestown Memorial Day Parade serving as the Grand Marshall in 1994 and Honorary Marshall in 2010. She was also a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Ira Lou Spring Post Firing Squad and Color Guard, Thule Lodge #127, VASA Order of America, Frewsburg Lion's Club, a charter member of the World War II Women's Memorial in Washington DC, and a former member of the Jamestown Republican Committee. Surviving are her three children, Diana G. (Michael) Morey of Pinebluff, NC, Roy R. Howell, Jr, of Fayetteville, NC, Melody J. (Mark) Terrano of Schnecksville, PA, six grandchildren, Laura Smith, Jennifer Astacio, Misia Howell, Jesse Howell, Rachel Terrano, Eric Terrano and four great grandchildren, Brett and Brandi Smith, Tiffany and Joshua Astacio. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a brother George G. Schwob, Jr., who died January 30, 2006. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in Bethel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, Chaplain of Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center will officiate. Inurnment will be at Soldier's Circle of Lake View Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by Ira Lou Spring Post #149. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of Imogene at www.lindfuneralhome.com.