Anita J. Howard, 98, of Fort Wayne, Ind., formerly of Cherokee, passed away on Wednesday morning, Feb. 25, 2026, at Lutheran Life Villages in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 2, at First Church of Christ in Cherokee. Burial was at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Nevada. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Anita's honor to Lutheran Life Villages, 6701 S. Anthony Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46816.
Anita was born on April 28, 1927, to Frank and Bessie (Driver) Longardner in Fort Wayne, Ind. She attended and graduated from Fort Wayne Area Schools, where she was the valedictorian of her class. She attended one year of Bible College in Portland, Ore. She was united in marriage on May 29, 1949, to Roger D. Howard in Indiana. They lived most of their married life in Nevada, where she managed the home, taking care of both her own children and babysitting many other children.
She was raised in and worshipped in the Church of God headquartered in Anderson, Ind. Later in life she attended the First Church of Christ in Cherokee and Fellowship Missionary Church in Fort Wayne, Ind.
In her free time she enjoyed walking, reading the Bible and other books, hanging out with her cat D.C., working puzzles, crocheting and plastic canvas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Roger; two sons, Roy and Ron Howard; and siblings: Robert Longardner, Madonna Schooling and Gene Armey.
Anita is survived by her brother Noble Longardner of Bloomington, Ind.; her children: Jo (James) Thomas of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and John (Delena) Howard of Spirit Lake; daughters-in-law, Jean (Larry) Heschke of Cherokee; and Bonita Howard of Plymouth, N.C.; 12 grandchildren: Roger (Carrie) Howard, Becky (boyfriend Tom) Howard, Ronda (Lee) Mchaughton, Ray (Lacey) Howard, Renee (Lonny) Stull, Matt (Kristie) Howard, Hayley (Tony) Taffer, Shannon (Shannon) Thomas, Heather (Nathan) Sittler, Joe (aka JJ) (Lauren) Thomas, Christopher (girlfriend Kelsey) Howard,and Josh (Amanda) Howard; 45 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
