The Life of HOWARD JAMES IRELAND
Howard James Ireland, 92, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 21, 2008 at Calvin Community with his wife of 67 years, Ramona Maxine Carson, by his side. Funeral services will be held 1 PM, Monday, August 25th at Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines with burial following at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Howard was born July 4, 1916 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of James and Elizabeth Ireland. He graduated from North High School and attended Iowa State University.
In March, 1941, Howard enlisted in the U.S. Navy as radio man, 2nd class. Stationed in Seattle, Washington, Howard served as a radio instructor and earned the rank of radio technician, 1st class. He was honorably discharged in August, 1945.
Upon returning to Iowa, Howard re-joined Iowa Power and Light Co. as radio technician and started the two-way radio department. He retired in 1980. Howard loved everything about two-way radios and maintained the radio equipment for Owen Crist Auto Body Service long after he retired.
One of Howard's greatest joys was his love for Harley Davidson motorcycles. He owned a 1938 Knucklehead and rode 7000 miles in the summer of 1940 - from the Midwest, over the Rockies, to the West Coast and back. In the years following WWII, he and "Maxine" rode another 60, 000 miles together.
Howard was a member of First Christian Church, the Iowa Power Young at Heart Club, a Mason since 1945 with the Moingona Lodge, Des Moines York Rite of Freemasonry, a long-time member of the Iowa Travel Trailer Club and an amateur radio operator since the late 1930s and member of the DMRAA.
Howard was preceded in death by his mother and father, and sister, Esther (Ireland) Sammis. He is survived by his wife, Ramona Maxine; son, James (Sheree) Ireland; son, Gregory (Lou) Ireland; grandchildren, Trevor Ireland, Jeffrey Ireland, Erin Elscott, Ashly Ireland, Heather Ireland, Shaun Ireland and Megan Jackson; and 7 great-grandchildren.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 4 PM, Sunday, August 24, 2008 at Westover Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa.