Funeral for Earl Eugene Howell will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2026 at Western Hills Christian Church with Rev. John Webb officiating.

Burial will follow in Cache Cemetery under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Earl Eugene Howell, age 88, of Indiahoma, Oklahoma, died on Friday, May 15, 2026, surrounded by family.  Earl was born on August 20, 1937, in Faxon, Oklahoma to Alfred and Freda Howell.  He was a graduate of Faxon High School, and he married Karen Tillman on December 20, 1958.

During high school, Earl was known for his athleticism, where he excelled in baseball and basketball. When not on the field or the court, Earl joined his siblings, helping on the family farm.

As a young adult right out of high school, Earl learned the skill of framing homes while working at Town and Country manufacturing Company.  He then took that knowledge and those skills to start his own business with his brother, Harold,  as contractors, which led to his becoming one of the most sought after framers in the state of Oklahoma.  Earl built some of the most iconic homes in southwest Oklahoma, and he took pride in that achievement; but, what Earl loved most was his family.  He adored his wife Karen for 67 years, and he was particularly proud of his eight children, who became successful educators, professionals, and business owners. A papaw to 21 grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren, he delighted in having them around, and they adored him as well.

In addition to being a husband, dad, and papaw, Earl was a master gardener.  He created beautiful landscapes around the home and tended to huge vegetable gardens that supplied vegetables for the family for months out of each year.  Earl enjoyed seeing things grow and boldly accepted the challenge of growing things in the Southwest Oklahoma climate.

Earl was an avid Oklahoma Sooner and Dallas Cowboy fan, and most recently he tuned in regularly to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder with his wife, following their playoff runs with enthusiasm. In the last days of his life, Earl returned to his love of music, especially country and western, and it was when that was playing softly in his room that he felt most at peace.

Earl is survived by wife, Karen, his children, Dennis Howell, Dianne Chadwick and husband, Russell, Janet Nelson and husband, Bubba, Penny Huling, Jackie Green and husband, Dennis, Lisa O'Kelley, Ann-Mary Gibbs, Jodie Price and  husband, Steve, sisters, Lavelle Hair, Dorothy Couch, and Helen Porter,  sisters in law, Donna Howell and Mary Kay Howell, 21 grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Freda Howell, brothers, Leonard, Robert, Harold, and Larry, sisters, Mary King, Lucille Huffine, Mildred Hamilton, Janell Howell, and Lois Matlock, brothers in law, WH King, Dorwen Porter, Glen Hamilton, Jimmy Couch, Freeman Huffine, and Homer Matlock,  sister in law, Geneva Howell, son in law, Thomas O'Kelley, grandson, Zachary Nelson, and great grandson, Shephard Verm.