Rentschler, Howard Willis

Howard Willis Rentschler, 93, of Delhi died peacefully Sunday, August 29, 2010, at the Edgewood Convalescent Home. Funeral services: 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, at the Delhi United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Lorraine Hartman. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Clifton-Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Earlville, and one hour before the serviceFriday at the church. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery, Delhi.

Howard was born on a farm in Clayton County, near Garber, on Feb. 26, 1917, to Rudolph and Mabel (Beeh) Rentschler. He graduated from Elkport High School in 1935. Howard was united in marriage to Marie Brown at the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garber in 1939. The Couple farmed in the Garber and Colesburg area for the next 13 years. In 1952, Howard and Marie purchased the Delhi Locker and Grocery and moved there with their two sons, Kirk and Owen. For the next 24 years Howard and Marie worked seven days a week to make their business successful. In 2006, they sold their home in Delhi and moved to Lincolnwood Assisted living in Edgewood. Howard moved to the Edgewood Convalescent Home in 2008.

Howard worked 80 hours a week at the locker but still found time to garden, fish, make his famous grape wine and hunt mushrooms, squirrel, deer and especially coon. Over the years he found time to serve on the Delhi School Board, be a member of the Delhi Volunteer Fire Department (1953-1984), be active in the Delhi Methodist Church, and serve 13 years as mayor or councilman for the town of Delhi. In later years, Howard enjoyed traveling on bus trips with Marie and their friends, playing ball with his grandchildren, and getting visits from his great-grandchildren. Howard will be remembered for his devotion to family, friends and his community. His sharp wit, sense of humor, common sense and friendly smile will be missed.

Howard is survived by his two sons, Kirk (Jane) and Owen (Gloria); grandsons, Ryan (Nicole), Cody, Rick (Denise) and Jon; great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Tait and Cole; and brother-in-law, Harlan Herkes.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Mabel; sisters, Una and Lois; sister-in-law, Jean; and his beloved wife, Marie.

A memorial fund has been established in Howard's name. Proceeds from the fund will go to the Maquoketa Valley Dollars for Scholars, Camp Courageous and the Delhi Volunteer Fire Department.

Please sign the online guest book for Howard at under obituaries.