OTEGO – Joan Howard, 82, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. She passed away after a long struggle at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta.

"Absent from the body to be present with the Lord" 2 Cor. 5.86

She was born February 27, 1927 in Maryland in her grandparent's farm house, the daughter of Harry Zindle Sr. and Lucy (Kildee) Zindle.

She married Lavern Howard in 1945. He predeceased her in 1983.

Mrs. Howard most recently lived on Mill Creek Road in Otego. She worked at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta in Central Supply and was a Nurse's Aide for 34 years.

She was a former member of the West End Community Baptist Church and attended the River Street Baptist Church in Oneonta.

She was very giving and generous with both her time and love. She affected a lot of people's lives spiritually. Mrs. Howard was family oriented and was faithful to the Lord.

She is survived by a son, Ronald L. Howard and Thelma of Otego; a son, Donald J. Howard and wife, Georgia of West Virginia; a daughter, Cheryleen M. Jaquish of Otego; brothers, Herbert (Barbara) and Earl Zindle; sisters, Violet Hadley, Dorothy Nobes, Rosella (Bradley) Osborne and Pansy Thomas; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends in the Lord whom she loved spending time with.

She was predeceased by her father, Harry Zindle Sr.; her mother, Lucy Ireland; two brothers, Peter Ireland and Harry Zindle Jr.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2010 from 1 p.m. to the service time at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Keith VanDewerker, retired, officiating, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Interment will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Davenport Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the River Street Baptist Church, 133 River Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Online condolences may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.