Michael Lynn Howton of McLeansboro, formerly of Harrisburg

Michael Lynn Howton, 75, of McLeansboro, Illinois, passed away on Sept. 30, 2021 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, following a recent critical illness.

Michael was born Oct. 9, 1945 to the late James M. and Lillian Howton of the Wamble Mountain community in Saline County. He graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in 1963, at that time one of 10 Howton siblings who graduated from HTHS.

In July 1963 Mike married the former Susan Hamby of Harrisburg and they raised three children: Chris Howton and wife Lori are parents of Callan (Trent) Montgomery and Devin Howton and eagerly await their first grandchild; Kerry Howton and wife Cynthia are the parents of Dustin, Jordan and Emily Howton; and Heather (Howton) Hopson has a daughter, Jessica.

Mike spent most of his working career as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor and with his brother Gerald, owned and operated Major Sheet Metal for several years. Before retirement, Mike was the director of Environmental Services at Harrisburg Medical Center.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his in-laws, Lorene and Bud Hamby; and siblings Kenneth, Norma Rains, Verna Angell, Robert, James Raymond and Kathleen Billingsley.

Surviving siblings are Margaret Prehn, Sandra Dawson, Stanley, Gary and Gerald.

In the early 1980s, Mike and his family operated Pounds Hollow Recreation Area in the Garden of the Gods.

Mike's favorite pastimes were riding, raising and training horses, hunting and fishing, and enjoying time with his grandchildren.

Mike was a member of the Harrisburg First Baptist Church.

Private memorial services will be for his immediate family, and will be held at later date. Online condolences may be written at www.youngfuneralhomellc.com.