Parade will star former educator

Centerville and Milton graduates might remember Jim Howell giving tests as a teacher and coach, but they might not know he tested missiles for the Army.

Howell, 93, was selected to be the grand marshal for an Armed Forces Day parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in downtown Centerville.

Grand marshal

Howell served in the Army from October 1954 through August 1956 before teaching and coaching. He entered as a Private First Class and left as a Specialist Third Class.

Lately, Howell has been talking about his time in the military, according to his son Brad.

One memory relates to the weather Jim experienced in Texas, when “it was crazy hot during the day and the canteens froze at night,” Brad told WWN.

Jim went to basic training at Fort Knox in Kentucky and was then sent to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, working on the Nike missile program. Although most of his service was in Texas, he also spent time at Fort Tilden in New York.

During his New York stint, Jim was chosen as a Soldier of the Month. His reward was attending a boxing match featuring Rocky Marciano, the undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion, at the Polo Grounds.

Despite that perq, the opportunity to influence youth in the Midwest won out over a military career. Jim started working in Milton schools from 1956 to 1962, where he taught math and physical education. He also coached the town’s Sharpshooters in basketball and baseball.

Brad said his dad built the baseball diamond in Milton that Lincoln High School still uses today.

Jim’s love for basketball was evident as well. Before graduating Butler University in 1954, Jim played basketball for coach Tony Hinkle. The university’s legendary fieldhouse, made especially famous in the movie “Hoosiers,” still carries Hinkle’s name.

Jim carries similar name recognition in Wayne County, especially in Centerville, because of his decades in education. After leaving Milton schools, Jim worked for Centerville-Abington, where many of his years were spent as high school principal. He retired in 1993.

After stepping away from work, Jim continued to find ways to serve the community. Shortly after retiring, Brad said his dad collaborated with community partners including former Centerville superintendent Don Kehoe and Carrol Rhodes to start the Centerville-Abington Senior Center.

Jim and Marge have been active members there for many years.

Jim also is a 56-year member of Centerville Lions, which included service as president.

He’s made many community connections over the years and is widely recognized.

“Everywhere we go, it’s incredible,” Brad said.

The parade is just one of the Howells’ special events in May.

Family members are organizing an open house to celebrate the couple’s 75th wedding anniversary on Sunday, May 25, at Centerville Christian Church’s Family Center.

After 68 years of living in Centerville, the Howells now live at Arbor Trace in Richmond.

All veterans honored

Although Centerville volunteers are organizing the annual parade, it’s designed to recognize all area veterans, and they are invited to join the procession at no cost.

Advance registration is encouraged for participating veterans by calling 765-277-0199. Some accommodations are available for those with mobility challenges.

Parade units will travel a section of downtown U.S. 40 near Morton Avenue in Centerville.

Viewers are encouraged to gather afterward at Maplewood Park a couple blocks north of that intersection.

The brief patriotic celebration at the park includes the dedication of a new veterans memorial walkway and pergola, and special recognition for the grand marshal. Free sweets will be served while supplies last.

The parade began as part of Centerville Public Library’s Operation C-LOV (Centerville Loves Our Veterans) recognition project. The initiative, which began in 2017, has included a veteran database, displays of books and artifacts, and schoolchildren’s cards for veterans.