V. Howard Mace Jr.

V. Howard Mace Jr.

May 6, 1926 - April 1, 2014

McCOOK, Nebraska -- V. Howard Mace Jr., age 87, passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

He was born in Orleans to Verne H. and Pansy (Decker) Mace on May 6, 1926.

Howard, at age 17, served his country in World War II in the U.S. Navy as a sub-mariner in the Atlantic based out of New London, Connecticut. He served on three different submarines: the R-5, the Corporal and the Sailfish. Howard was active in the Sub-Vets organization.

On Sept. 2, 1947, he was united in marriage to Joan Dolph McDowell.

Howard drove over the road as a trucker for more than 50 years. He hauled heavy equipment and fuel and the highlight of his career was transporting Disney on Ice.

He owned a Centennial Bowling center in Oberlin, Kansas, from 1963 to 1974. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, VFW and the American Legion of Oberlin. He was commissioned as an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Joan Dolph McDowell Mace of McCook; three sons, Thomas Mace of San Diego, California, Jerry Mace of Los Angeles, California and Henry and wife, Karen of Tecumseh, Kansas; daughter, Sandra and husband, Rodney Lytle of McCook, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Christina (Barney) Blas, Chester Mace, Michelle (Russell) Collins, Matthew (Becky) Mace and Joshua Lytle and six great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Doug Griger, Mike Roth and Rev. Lorri Kentner officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery of McCook. Military Honors will be performed at the cemetery.

Visitation is Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.