Munising

Howard “Howie” George Masters, age 73, of 303 W. Onota Street, Munising, died on Wednesday morning, March 6, 2013 at the Tendercare Health Center following a three month illness. He was born on November 18, 1939 in Munising to the late G. Wallace and Agnes (Robinson) Masters. Howie graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1958. He lived in Florida after school and then he moved to Alaska where he worked construction with the Reff brothers. Howie worked the ore boats for years on the Great Lakes, and he worked both sides of all the bars in Munising (except bartending at Tervo’s.) He married Bonnie Jean Paquette on January 17, 1970 and together they raised their three sons. Howie sold insurance with his father for State Farm and then on his own. He worked many years at Mazzali Insurance Agency and then twelve years as the County Treasurer for Alger County. He earned his Bachelor of Social Science Degree from Northern Michigan University and his Ph.D. in “BS” throughout life. Howie spent forty years on the boat restoration project and enjoyed his yearly fishing trips to Canada with his Mitchell 300. He loved telling stories and enjoyed bowling, playing fast pitch softball, snowmobiling, and spending hunting season at “Camp No-Buck.” Howie took his “once in a lifetime” trip to Alaska every other year and he enjoyed being with his family. Howie loved his family and was a great Dad and an even better Grampa.

Howie is survived by his wife of over forty-three years – Bonnie Masters of Munising; sons and favorite daughter-in-law – Joe Masters of St. Louis, Missouri, Ryan and Stacey Masters of Munising, and Todd “Tate” Masters of Munising; grandchildren – Lili, Mackenzie, Bailey, and Connor; his daily walking buddy – Boomer; brother – Richard (Patty) Masters of Munising; in-laws – Dorothy Masters, Shirley (Paul) Petosky, Joe (Lee) Paquette, Gail (Dave) Cromell, and Dee Jay (Heidi) Paquette; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Wally and Agnes, parents-in-law Joe and Arvilla Paquette, brother Bob Masters, and sister Lois Masters.

Visiting time with family and friends will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday, March 11, 2013 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. Memorials may be made to charity of one’s choice in Howie’s memory.