Merton Howard

MERTON HOWARD

July 28, 1928 – July 18, 2025

Merton Howard, life-long resident of LaBelle, stepped into the presence of his Creator, Savior, King July 18, 2025.  Merton was born July 28, 1928, in LaBelle to Lonnie and Anna Howard.  He was one of seven children: Donald, Walter and Tommy(all deceased) Christine Pratt, Lenora Knowles, and Orvell Howard.

After marrying his childhood sweetheart – Carlena Blount – in 1946, they became parents to four children – Marilyn Taylor (Robert), Cindy Miller (Chip), Myrtice Frydenlund, and Matthew Howard (Sandra) – who are residents of Hendry County. Grandchildren  Adrienne Taylor, Amanda Gregg, Cathryn Miller, Tiffany Taylor, Janna Taylor, Melissa White, Jamie Ledford, Matthew Daniel Howard, and Hannah Frydenlund (deceased) - 13 great-grandchildren 

(2 deceased) - and 5 great-great grandchildren extended their family.

Merton worked in construction and location-survey in the Tampa Bay area for several years before obtaining his license as a registered land surveyor and moving back to LaBelle.  He was then employed by SRD/FDOT until he retired in 1977. He ran his own surveying crew/company from 1956 until 1991.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he taught his children, grandchildren and many others to enjoy the sports. He was a wood-worker, cattleman, and tirelessly supported those who water-skied as the boat driver for decades.

In 2011, he set aside these interests to be full-time caretaker for his wife until she passed in June 2013.  After that, he resumed hunting until January 2016 when he climbed into a tree stand in Georgia and harvested a deer for the last time at age 87.

Merton was a charter member, deacon, and teacher at Eastside Baptist Church. He had decided as a young husband and father that he would put God first in all he did. This was reflected in his choices for the remainder of his life. In both times of plenty and seasons of want, he praised God for the blessings that were his in Jesus Christ.