Loving father, grandfather and brother, Robert “Tom” Howell, 77, passed away peacefully in Colorado Springs, Colo., on October 10, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Oct. 28 at Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville, with burial to follow at the Wellsville Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Tom was born October 28, 1947, in St. Louis. He was the son of Ralph G. and Mary (Stewart) Howell. He grew up and attended school in Wellsville. On June 19, 1971, he married Leona Dodd in Wellsville. Leona preceded him in death on November 16, 2021. They were blessed to have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary just prior to Leona’s passing. Tom and Leona lived in Hallsville for 41 years where they raised four children.
Tom was drafted into the military in 1966. He joined the National Guard after leaving active duty and served his country in the U.S. Army for a total of 29 years. In their younger years, Tom and Leona greatly enjoyed dancing together. He was always photographing family activities and the children’s sporting events, of which there were many. Tom worked for the City of Columbia. He retired from working for the City of Columbia Public Works Department.
Tom was the father to four children: twins, Jessica Howell of Columbia and Christina Rossics of St. Louis, born in 1974; Roberta Goolie of Colorado Springs, Colo., born in 1980; and the fourth child, Marshall Howell, of Minneapolis, Minn., born in 1987. After retirement, Tom and Leona moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2013. A primary reason for such a big move was to be closer to their grandchildren, Chloe Sky and Ian Rain Goolie (children of Roberta and Rich Goolie). They have another grandchild, Ryland Marshall Huffman (child of Jessica Howell) who resides in Columbia. Also surviving is one brother, John Howell (Judy) of Wellsville; and one sister, Lola Howell-Hampton of White, Ga.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife and both parents.
Myers Funeral Home, 203 E. Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384. Condolences may be provided to Myers Funeral Home at myersfuneralhome.biz.
