Westover - Charles Elwood Howard Sr., 89, of Revell's Neck peacefully passed away at his home on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Born in Kings Creek, Maryland on July 29, 1934, he was the son of Edward and Ethel (Martin) Howard.

Elwood was a 1952 graduate of Washington High School in Princess Anne, Maryland. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army who proudly served his country from August 15, 1952 to May 25, 1955, as a crypto specialist assigned to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. He started his own carpentry and construction business, later joined by his son Woody and grandson Chase. He operated the Westover Convenience Store and raised chickens with his wife Mary. He was a proud member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was also a member of Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Westover, Maryland.

Elwood loved nature, particularly hummingbirds and wildflowers, as well as bluegrass and gospel music. He is fondly remembered by his family for playing Santa many Christmases for local children and the nursing home. He enjoyed spending time with all of his close friends, especially Philip Widdowson, Gilbert Landing, and John and Vanessa Kriger. Family and friends always enjoyed his endless stories and humor.

Elwood is survived by four sons, Gary Howard of Frankford, Delaware, Charles "Woody" Howard Jr. (Joyce) of Revell's Neck, Fred Howard of Revell's Neck, and Ronnie Howard (Laney) of Revell's Neck, brothers Melvin Howard and George Howard, sisters Sarah Richardson and Anna Howard, grandchildren Katie Howard, Chase Howard, Alexis Howard, Cole Howard, and Jacob Howard and great-grandsons, Ayden Howard and Alden Wright. He is also survived by his cats, Precious and Snow, to whom he was devoted.

He was predeceased by his wife Mary Frances (Nelson) Howard, brothers Lawrence Howard, Leslie Howard, and Robert Howard, and granddaughter Mallory Howard.

A funeral service officiated by Reverend Harvey Tyler will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Hinman Funeral Home in Princess Anne, Maryland with visitation for friends and family from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Church in Westover, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elwood's memory to Coastal Hospice and Palliative Care (www.coastalhospice.org/make-a-donation/) or the Somerset County Humane Society (humanesocietyofsomersetcounty.org). The family would like to thank the compassionate staff of Coastal Hospice.