Howard Van Powell

Howard Van Powell, 86, of Whitingham, Vermont, died on January 12, 2015 after a brief battle with cancer. Howard and his late wife Gladys (who died in 2004) lived on Sky Farm for 45 years. Howard was born and grew up in Stratford, NJ around the corner from Gladys who he married on June 21, 1951. He graduated from Philadelphia Bible School (now Cairn University) in 1953. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for much of his lifetime and for the past 20+ years served as relief postmaster in Jacksonville, Whitingham and Readsboro. Pastor Howard Powell, as he was known by many, served as the pastor of many churches, including Agape Christian Fellowship and Community Bible Chapel in Brattleboro, VT, several churches in South Jersey including Masonville and Garden Lake, and served as a missionary with his family in the Philippines. He was also active in local churches and preached frequently in Jacksonville, Whitingham and Readsboro and in Walpole, NH. Howard was a deeply devout man with a strong love for his God, his family, his home and his community. His favorite pastime was working around his farm and he was still mowing local fields last summer. He was an avid reader and loved feeding and watching his birds. In the past 10 years as he lived alone on Sky Farm, one of his greatest joys was visiting with his children and grandchildren. He was a proud member of the Whitingham Historic 85 Club. Howard, predeceased by his beloved wife Gladys, is survived by his brother Robert, 88, of Jacksonville, FL and his seven children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: son Van Powell and his wife Beth Marr of Vergennes, VT and son Teaghan; son David Powell and his partner Kendy Slade of Whitingham, and her daughter Sarah and his children Pamela Bernier and husband Donny and children Sophia and Jack, and Dave, Jr., wife Abby and sons Grayson, Elias and Nicolai; daughters Faith Powell of Whitingham and Susan Powell Davison of Old Saybrook, CT; son Mark Powell and his wife Beth Gilpin of Waterbury, VT and children Hazen and Riley; daughter Joy Powell, predeceased by her husband Steven Wrathall, of Whitingham, and their children Molly, Lucas and Seth; and son Jonathan, of Easthampton, MA. Calling hours are Friday, January 16th, 5-7 pm at Covey & Allen, 44 East Main St., Wilmington, VT and the funeral service is Saturday, January 17th at 11 am at Jacksonville Community Church in Jacksonville Village. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT, Southwestern VT and NH Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, Community Church of Whitingham and First Baptist Church of Readsboro. The Powell family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff in the critical care ward and emergency room at the Medical Center for their gentle care and expertise. Calling hours are Friday, January 16th, 5-7 pm at Covey & Allen, 44 East Main St., Wilmington, VT and the funeral service is Saturday, January 17th at 11 am at Jacksonville Community Church in Jacksonville Village.