Mr. Murrell Douglas Howell, 84, of Macomb, Illinois, died at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Macomb Post Acute Care Center.
He was born on August 10, 1942, in Big Spring, Texas, to Murrell Mickey and Bernie D. (Dikes) Howell. He married Mary E. Shaner on December 22, 1968, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Mary E. Howell of Macomb; two sons, Thomas (Belinda Dillon) Howell of Lomita, California, and Murrell Michael (Darlene) Howell of Macomb; a daughter, Cherie (Tim) Taggart of Livingston, Montana; and three grandchildren, Tabitha Howell, Murrell Christopher Howell, and Jeremiah Stoekl. He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Corrie Lynn Taggart.
Murrell graduated from Redford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1960 and later graduated from Park College in Parkville, Missouri. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, where he attended training in the Philippines then served in the Vietnam War. He then served in the United States Air Force in various bases including, working in the weapons laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and at Kirtland Air Force Base in Colorado.
Following his military service, Murrell pursued a career in the aerospace industry as a research and test scientist and engineer. Throughout his career, he worked for Martin Marietta, Northrop Corporation, and Boeing Corporation in locations across the United States, including Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; and Rockford, Illinois.
Murrell was of the Jewish faith and was a member of Temple Sholom in Galesburg, Illinois. He was also a member of the Commemorative Air Force, an active member of the Republican Party and an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Murrell had a passion for aviation and loved flying airplanes. He was a licensed pilot until recent years.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon Friday, November 13, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Abingdon Chapel. Burial will follow at Abingdon Cemetery in Abingdon, Illinois, with military honors provided by the Abingdon American Legion Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Temple Sholom. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
