Mr. Howard E. Althiser Sr., of Reedsburg, passed away at the age of 65 years 1 month and 20 days on, Monday, September 26, 2016, from complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Howard wrote: "I came into this world as the third child of Fred and Mary (Wasson) Althiser on August 6, 1951, at Graham Hospital, Canton, Illinois.

After a short time spent on the Wasson family farm Southeast of Farmington, Illinois, and a farm in Southeast Warren County, Illinois, we moved to a farm in Liverpool Township, Section 31, about 4 miles Southeast of Lewistown, Illinois, in the spring of 1955. It was there that my impressionable childhood and young teenage years were spent. Unfortunately, my mom and dad divorced soon after moving to Lewistown.

My mom then married O.K. Smith, the man that didn't have to be my 'dad' but took on the responsibility the best he could. I love him for his love for me and his guidance, even though I didn't always follow it.

I attended the Lewistown community schools until the second semester of my junior year (January 1968) at Lewistown Community High School. At that time, we moved to Hill Point, Wisconsin where we also transferred our milk cows and continued to farm until 1973.
Upon moving to Wisconsin I attended and graduated with a great bunch of kids from Weston High School in 1969.

I worked short stints for Grede Foundries and Lakeside Foods in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, while looking for a full time job I thought I would like. I started at Hankscraft, Inc. in October 1969. Soon afterwards, it looked as though the draft would be catching up with me so I volunteered for the U.S. Navy, as I didn't want to go to Vietnam.

Of course things change and a person is guided to things that we never really suspect. I ended up volunteering for Vietnam and spent 16 months at a small Navy support base called Nha Be. It was here, in a noncombatant position, that I learned the value of my farm upbringing of cooperation and doing the best job you can.

After leaving Vietnam during the Easter Offensive of 1972, I spent some time at home and then reported onboard the USS FRESNO (LST-1182). I spent the remainder of my Navy service on the Fresno making several friends of which I still communicated with until my demise.

After discharge from the Navy in 1974, I returned to Hankscraft and in 1975 I met and fell in love with the Sunshine of My Heart, Susan Mullikin. I thank God that she decided to find work at Hankscraft. We were married on September 18, 1976, in Lime Ridge, Wisconsin, at the United Methodist Church.

To our union were born two children, Howard Jr. in 1977 and Heather Lee in 1982. Our daughter predeceased me in 2010 and I look forward to our reunion. Our son married and he and his wife, Becky, have given us 3 delightful granddaughters. Samantha was our first granddaughter and then twins Katelyn and Andrea.

Except for my short employment at Lakeside Foods, Grede Foundries, my 4 years of Naval Service and two years at Zinga Industries, my entire working life has been with Hankscraft/Gerber/Hankscraft Motors.

I have been a life member of the VFW Post 1916 where I held various elected posts, including, Post Commander, Sr. Vice Commander and Quartermaster.

I was preceded in death by:
…my dear parents,
……Fred Althiser and
……Mary E. (Althiser) Smith, nee Wasson;
…my much respected step-father,
……O.K. Smith;
…my father-in-law and mother-in-law,
……Keith Mullikin and Irene Mullikin;
…my brother-in-law,
……Timothy Mullikin; and
…my beautiful daughter,
……Heather L. Althiser.

I have been survived by:
…My beloved wife of 40 years,
……Susan (Mullikin) Althiser of Reedsburg, WI.;
…Son,
……Howard (Becky) Althiser Jr. of Reedsburg, WI.
…My older brother,
……Leslie (Sue) Althiser, Ipava, Illinois,
…Older sister,
……Connie Herrman, Lewistown, Illinois,
…Half-siblings,
……Bonnie (Thom) Stewart, Wonewoc, Wisconsin and
……Randy (Jill) Smith of Lake City, Minnesota;
…Step-sister,
……Edie (Merle) Swearingen of Lewistown, Illinois;
…Sisters-in-law,
……Judy Orsborne of Madison, WI, and
……Sandy (Rod) Scheeler of Reedsburg, WI.
…Brothers-in-law,
……Dale Mullikin of Bangor, WI.,
……Paul (Karen) Mullikin of Arcadia, WI, and
……Donnie (Debbie) Mullikin of Wisconsin Dells, WI.;
…Along with many nieces and nephews."

Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2016, at the Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, with Pastor Joseph Corbin officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by the Reedsburg VFW Post 1916.

Burial will take place at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Reedsburg.

In lieu of flowers all donations will be divided between
…The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
…3 International Drive, Suite 200
…Rye Brook, New York 10573-7501
…https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate

or to the
…Reedsburg Area High School Scholarship Program
…1100 South Albert Avenue
…Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959-2423

Arrangements and obituary provided by the
Farber Funeral Home
2000 Viking Drive
Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959-9828
http://www.farberfuneralhome.com/

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Visitation and Funeral Services
…Farber Funeral Home
……2000 Viking Drive
……Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959-9828
…Sunday, October 2, 2016
……Visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
……Service at 1:30 p.m.

Committal Service and Interment
…Green Wood Cemetery
…1000 Myrtle St.
…Reedsburg, Wisconsin