Ronald Leroy Howelton

Ronald L. Howelton passed away May 13, 2021.

Visitation

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

11am - 1pm

Celebration of Life

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

1pm

Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home

3500 6th Ave. - Des Moines, Iowa 50313

*CDC guidelines will be followed with masks required during the Visitation and Celebration of Life Service. Social Distancing will strongly be encouraged.

*This service will be made available via Facebook Live on the Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home's Facebook page (@hendersonsfuneralhome) on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 beginning at 11am. Please 'Like' or 'Follow' our page for access.

Ronald Leroy Howelton was born to Otha Howelton and Ruby (Sanders) Howelton on October 31, 1946 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. he graduated from North High in Minneapolis.

He relocated to Des Moines and gained employment at Eagle Iron Works as a foundry worker. He worked for them over 26 years.

Ronald loved music and sang all his life. He was musically gifted and played several instruments (drums, guitar, trumpet). He had his own band, "The Importers", and they travelled the Midwest until they started getting gigs farther away. Ronald liked to travel, but hated to fly and eventually gave up the band. His other passion was fishing. Nothing better than spending time alone on the fish bank. That was the best place to talk to God. Ronald re-dedicated his life 10 years ago and believed in the power of prayer. He loved his family immensely and wanted to make up for lost time by spending time with them, especially his grand children. Teaching them, praying for them, and supporting other childrens causes like St. Judes Hospital. Ronald was also a great cook. His oxtail stew and fried potatoes were the Best!

Ronald reconnected with his childhood sweetheart, Karen Beaty. It was finally a love match and they were married in 1996 in Des Moines. They had fun together. He was such a big jokester and the life of the party.

May 13, 2021 Ronald fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. He woke up on the other side to see his parents; his brothers, Leon Valdez and Doug May; his sister Pam Valdez and niece, Terriyon Valdez.

Left to cherish Rons memory are his wife Karen Cox; his children Ashley and Darnell Howelton; his sisters, Tonya (David) Killings, Coririne Clevland, Tyanna Valdez Sumpter and Michelle Newton; his brothers Charles Clevland and Daved Wethal. He also leaves inspiration with his grandson, Dameer Ewing, 9 other grand children and 12 great grandchildren.Visitation









Tuesday, May 25, 2021

11:00am - 1:00pm









Ezan Cemetery

Celebration of Life









Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Starts at 1:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home