Funeral Services for Norman Howard, age 68, of O'Neill, will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, March 4, 2017, at the First Christian Church in O'Neill. Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery, with Military Rites conducted by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93, and the American Legion Riders.

Visitation will be Friday, March 3, 2017, from 5-8 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Norman passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, NE.

Norman Ray Howard was born on August 30, 1948, in Opportunity, NE, to Ora and Mary (Van Buren) Howard.  He graduated from O'Neill High School in 1966.  He was drafted into the Army shortly after, and served from June of 1968 until April of 1970.

Norman married JoAnn Larsen on June 8, 1974, in Butte, NE, and to this union, 3 children were born:  Steven, Daniel, and Brandi.  They lived north of O'Neill for a few years, then moved into town in 1978.

Norman worked for Shelhamer Petroleum, then for Louie Scheinost.  He bought his own truck in 1978, started working for Seger Grain and in 2001, and Opplinger Farms in 2008.

He was a member of the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93.

His hobbies included hunting and fishing, as well as attending tractor pulls.  Norman enjoyed his farm and ranch life, watching his cattle and working with his dogs.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, JoAnn, of O'Neill, 3 children; Steve Howard and wife Regina, Daniel Howard and wife Amy, and Brandi Bowder and husband Gage, all of O'Neill, 8 grandchildren; Paige, Zachary, Kelsey, Kylee, Nolan, Emma, Dane, and Sadie, 1 brother, Ronald Howard and wife Pam of O'Neill, 3 sisters; Leona Zwingman of O'Neill, Bonnie Fritz and husband George of Norfolk, NE, and Sharon Murphy of O'Neill, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Julia Howard, one brother, Jerome Howard and wife Marylin, 2 Brothers-in-law; Donald Zwingman and Calvin Murphy, and one nephew, Chad Howard.