Oma Jean (Manns) Howard

Oma Jean (Manns) Howard, age 94, of Kendallville, died February 7, 2026, at McLaren Hospital, Port Huron, Michigan. Oma Jean was born June 30, 1931, in Wayland, Kentucky, to the late Jim Manns and Nora (Allen) Manns. She was raised up around Wayland, Kentucky and married Eugene "Sparr" Howard on July 16, 1948, in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Oma Jean and Sparr moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1951, where they resided for 40 years. She worked at Brass Products in Detroit for 15 years. She moved to Kendallville, Indiana in 1978, to be closer to her kin, and has lived in Kendallville since she retired. Sparr preceded her in death on October 31, 2007. 

Survivors include:
Daughter, Connie and David McMann of Oscoda, Michigan.
Four grandchildren: Dr. Shannon McMann (Steven Smithberger) of Troy, Michigan; Shawn McMann of Oscoda, Michigan; Kim McMann (Andy St. Onge) of Otisville, Michigan; Chad Mazurek of Minnesota; and five great grandchildren.
Sister, Linda and Dan Alter of Fort Myer, Florida.
Sister, Louetta and James Hale of Kendallville.
Sister, Willa and Walker Tackett of Kendallville.
Brother, Jimmy and Dorothy Manns of Kendallville.
Brother, Bobby Manns of Kendallville.

Oma Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Nora Manns; daughter, Peggy Ann Mazurek; stillborn son, Charles; grandson, Marion "Michael" Mazurek; brothers, Clarence "Buddy" Manns, Junior Manns, Claude Manns, and Ray Manns; and sisters, Cleta Mae Knox, Mattie Slone, Ella Handshoe, Dorothy Mitchell, Lorean Hamdin and Christine Morr.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville with a funeral service to follow at 7:00 PM. David Bolen will officiate the service.
Burial will take place Friday, February 27, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Lake View Cemetery.  

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