Howard King

CAIRO, Ill. -- Howard E. King, 87, of Cairo died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

He was born May 13, 1916, at Gill, Ark., son of the late George and Grace Simmons King. He married Zita Johnson.

King was a retired metal mechanic for Trans World Airlines. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, a member of the American Legion and VFW and a member of St. Patricks Catholic Church in Cairo.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Carole Drevno of Martinez, Calif., Ellen Mortimer of Mission Viejo, Calif.; a son, Joel King of Lake Ozark, Mo.; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers.

Funeral Mass will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Cairo. The Rev. Jerome Fortenberry will officiate, with burial in the U.S. National Cemetery in Mound City, Ill. Military honors will be performed by the U.S. Army and Pulaksi County Memorial VFW Post 8891 of Mounds.

Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.