Waneta Merle Howell peacefully departed this life at home in Clinton, MO on April 28, 2026, age 89, to go to her heavenly home. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the First Baptist Church in Clinton. Burial to follow in Englewood Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church-Building Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Waneta Merle Howell, daughter of Mary Ann "Mollie" and Leonard Fowler, was born December 13, 1936, at Coal, MO. On May 14, 1955, she was united in marriage to Glen, and together they shared the next 50 years, having 4 children, Diane, Debora, Randy and Ronnie. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Ann "Mollie" and Leonard, her husband Glen, as well as a sister, Mary Francine, and brothers Irvin, Hubert, Elvin and Edwin Fowler and brother-in-laws, Junior and Leroy Howell, and sister-in-laws Jessie Empson and Helen Curtright.

Merle is survived by Diane Atchison (Richard), Debora McQuillen (Monte), Randy Howell (Cheri), all of Clinton, MO and Ronnie Howell of Tulsa, OK. She is dearly loved by her 11 grandchildren, Sandra Poff, Scott Braun (Priscilla), Lynn Schudel (Jody), Jessie Edwards (Julian), Jolene Salley, Jodee Hamiliton (Alex), Emily LaFavor (Kevin), Bailee Wilson (Hayden), Mollie Seals (Ben), Renner Howell (Kylee), and Jacob Howell (Lindsey). One of Merle's greatest joys were her 18 great grandchildren, Silas, Madalyn, Seth, Abbey, Jocelyn, Landon, Lacey, Lexie, Ben, Ellie Jo, Quinley, Max, Nora, Noah, Jase, Kenzlee, Ronnie and Margo. Merle has many wonderful nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who she greatly cherished.

Merle graduated from Coal Grade School in 1950 and Clinton High School in 1954. After marriage and traveling for four years, following her husband's job, they settled in on the family home farm in Coal in 1960. Merle was a devoted wife and mother, and engaged working with children at church, school and 4-H. She was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church for over 60 years. Merle enjoyed the privilege of working as the first switchboard operator at the Henry County Courthouse and retired in 2001. In 2006, Merle moved to Clinton after Glen's passing, where she continued teaching and serving at First Baptist Church. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Obituary submitted by family.