Howard Carl Neese II, 72, of Fulton, IL, passed peacefully at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA, on January 25, 2025, at age 72, after a fall and brain bleed earlier in the month.
Howard was born on June 26, 1952, to H. C. Neese I and Haroldine “Deanne” Neese in Erie, IL. Howard graduated from Erie High School, where he enjoyed sports with many friends. After high school graduation, Howard attended Bradley University, where he obtained his degree in Business and Finance. After college he worked in Kentucky for a short time, then moved back to Erie to work with his father at Country Companies Insurance. A few years later he and his father opened their independent insurance offices in Erie and Fulton. Howard’s passion was to help families and farmers with their various insurance needs. He was especially proud to work with insurance adjusters, advocating for his clients to obtain the most loss reimbursement as possible.
Howard was previously active in the Fulton community as a member of Kiwanis, the Fulton Downtown Development Group, Fulton Chamber, and donating to many organizations. Howard helped many friends behind the scenes throughout the years, many of them without knowing of his care and generosity.
Howard loved to attend Lyons Farmers Market during the season.He enjoyed visiting with the vendors, buying lots of produce and items for his wife to cook, and buying additional produce for friends.
Howard was very proud and active in his Masonic Lodge #93, Clinton, IA, for 29 years. He was Master of the lodge four times, plus held various other positions through the years. He helped to raise funds for the lodge annual college scholarships, and annual Lyons Lodge Pancake Breakfast. He organized the lodge’s 150th year celebration and other events.
He was also a member of Scottish Rite, with the honor of a 33 Degree White Hat, and a member of Kaaba Shriners.
Howard was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Clinton, in past years serving within various committees and teaching Sunday school. During his younger years he attended their family’s First Baptist Church in Erie.
Howard married Ranae Kaasa in April 1998. Together they enjoyed many trips around the Caribbean, Mexico, and places in the USA. Howard never knew a stranger. They made many new, lifelong friends from around the world and in USA during their travel adventures.
In his younger years he loved duck, quail, and deer hunting with his Dad and friends. More recently, he enjoyed deer hunting with close friends.
Howard is survived by his wife of 27 years, Ranae Neese; daughter Megan Schuler of Morrison, IL; granddaughters, Hayden and Evelyn; sister, Darsia Kimball of Eldridge, IA; nieces, Amy (Mark) Wilming of Eldridge and Heidi (Tony) Finn of Kewanee, IL; great-nephews, Michael Wilming and Tyler Finn; Ranae’s family in Albert Lea, MN: sister, Colleen Kaasa, brothers, Wyman (Robin) Kaasa and Brian (Sue) Kaasa, and many nieces and nephews. Howard will be especially missed by his very, special friends, Corey Council of Fulton and Pat Barrett of Clinton, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
His Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Clinton, IA, with Rev. Ron Lott, retired Pastor, officiating.
Interment will be later this spring at Erie Cemetery in Erie, IL, along side his parents.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lyons Masonic Lodge #93 or First Baptist Church in Clinton, IA.
Thank you to our many family and friends who prayed for him after his accident.