The SERVICE for Mrs. Howerton will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

The MINISTER officiating at the service will be Pastor Tony Reynolds.

INTERMENT will be in the Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City, Missouri.

The family suggests any MEMORIAL donations be made to The American Cancer Society.


Margaret F. Howerton, 90, was born October 13, 1924 in Osceola, Missouri, one of six children born to Robert E. and Lela G. (Keeling) Coleman. She departed this life at the Community Springs Health Care Facility in El Dorado Springs, Missouri October 3, 2015.
Margaret's family moved to Deepwater during her youth. She attended school and graduated from Lowry City High School in 1942. Margaret and Ralph E. Rice were united in marriage in June of 1958 and to this union three sons were born. They lived in Appleton City, Missouri and farmed until Ralph's death in 1970. In June of 1975 Margaret and James Howerton were united in marriage and they made their home in Brookfield, Missouri. Following James' death, Margaret moved to El Dorado Springs, Missouri in 1978.
During her time in the Appleton City area she was a member of the Ohio Christian Church. After her move to El Dorado Springs she became a member of the Park Street Christian Church and was a faithful member while her health allowed. Margaret was a hardworking wife and mother. Caring for her family gave her great joy.
Preceding Margaret in death were her parents, Robert and Lela; both her husbands, Ralph and James; three sons, Kenneth Edward Rice, Evert Orson Rice and a still born son; one stepson Earl Howerton; and four brothers: Charles, Louis, Robert and Milton Eugene Coleman. Survivors include one sister Lona Hook of Bolivar, Missouri; one stepson James Howerton of Orlando, Florida; one step daughter Carol Beckman of Kingston, Missouri; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.