Charles (Chuck) Robert Howell Jr., 67

Charles (Chuck) Robert Howell Jr., 67, of Oelwein, Iowa, died February 8, 2023, after a brief and brave battle with cancer at home surrounded by his family. Per Chuck’s wishes, he will be cremated. Visitation will be held Friday, February 17, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 PM at Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral Service will be on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM with visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Oelwein. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Chuck was born January 18, 1956 in Waterloo, Iowa, to Charles Robert Howell and Lucille McConnell. He graduated from Dysart Geneseo High School in Dysart, Iowa, in 1974. He went on to learn auto mechanics at Hawkeye Community College. Chuck did Figure 8 and Demo racing in Vinton where he earned the title: “Flying Hippie.”

Chuck married Tina Zeien and together they had two children, Kristopher and Crystal. They later divorced. He married Joanna Lindeman in 1993 and together raised a blended family.

Chuck retired from Advanced Automotive in Oelwein in 2021. Following retirement, he liked working and cooking alongside Joanna at Ma & Pa’s Diner in Oelwein. He also owned and operated CJ’s Trophies & More in Oelwein for more than 12 years. He loved working on trophies and enjoyed all of his customers. Chuck enjoyed golfing, bowling and cheering on his Steelers. He especially had fun on his fishing trips to Canada with a very special group of friends. He was a quiet and generous man, and not many people know, he played a mean guitar. He dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was always there to help in a vehicle emergency.

He is survived by his wife, Joanna; children: Mari Sue (Scott) Schminke, Christina Carder, Kristopher (Dana) Howell, Corey (Samantha) Lindeman and Crystal (James) Jacobs; grandchildren: Cody, Gunnar, Allyssa, Kaylee, Tony, Walter, Hunter, Paige, Morgan, plus another on the way; and two great granddaughters, Octavia and RaeLynn. He is also survived by two sisters, LouAnne (Jim) DeWoody, of Laughlin, NV, and Rhonda Burhenn, of Grinnell, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a nephew, Travis Burhenn and grandson, Easton Lindeman.