Mr. Ralph Howe, 83, of Trumann, passed away Saturday, August 16, 2003, at Regional Medical Center of NEA in Jonesboro from natural causes.

Mr. Howe was born in Paragould, Ark., and had lived in Steele, Mo., before moving back to Paragould in 1960 and to Trumann in 1994. He was a retired employee of the Arkansas Highway Department. Mr. Howe was also a veteran of the U.S. Army and W.W. II where he received a Purple Heart and was a POW. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 42 in Trumann and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Howe was also a member of the Viva Drive Church of Christ.

Mr. Howe is survived by his wife, Mrs. Louise Chaffin Howe of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Elaine Harsma of Cerritos, Calif., and Ms. Anita Howe of San Antonio, Texas; one step-son, Rick Chaffin of Memphis, Tenn.; and three granddaughters, Katrina Anne Harsma, Annissa Elaine Harsma and Elizabeth Danielle Dietz.

Funeral serves were held Tuesday, August 11, 2003, at the Viva Drive Church of Christ in Trumann with Joe Spangler officiating.

Active pallbearers were Mead Boydsteen, Richard Harsma, Willard Glasgow, Raymond Asher, Leroy May and Rhew "Buster" Bales. Honorary pallbearers were Quentin Fletcher, Edward "Shorty" Hargrove, John Sadler, Jimmy Allen, Leo Lancaster and Ken Bell.