Howard "Howie" James Schultz, age 85, of Green Bay WI, formerly of Shawano WI, passed away at his home early Sunday morning, October 4, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Howard was born September 4, 1935 in Shawano, WI (town of Herman), son of the late Leo Schultz, and Elfrieda Schultz Heling (Kopelke.) Howie graduated from Shawano High School in 1953. Following school, Howie served in the US Army 27 ^th Infantry Regiment stationed in Oahu, Hawaii. He enjoyed sharing stories about his time in Hawaii, including hijinks with his fellow Wolfhounds at the Schofield Barracks, sneaking naps on a truck bed in the pineapple fields, or hauling live ammo over treacherous mountain roads. After returning from service, Howie began a long career as a truck driver, primarily working for Haupt Inc. (Drott), and Hartwig Transportation in Schofield, WI.

Howard was united in marriage to Sandra Berndt in January 1959. Although later divorced, they were gifted with three wonderful children in their years together. In December 1974, Howard was united in marriage to Carmen L. Reger.  Howie and Carmen worked and lived in Schofield, WI (town of Weston) for many years, until their retirement when they relocated to the Upper Peninsula in Watersmeet, MI.  In 2001, they returned to the town of Herman to renovate and live in the farmhouse where Howie was raised as a boy. Before her death in 2016, Howie cared for his wife Carmen selflessly during her later years and illness.

Howard was a faithful and active member of St John Lutheran Church in town of Herman, WI. His faith was strong, and he loved his Little St. John church community dearly, serving on both the Church Counsel and Chairman of the Cemetery Society. Throughout most of his life, Howie was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed deer hunting, bear hunting, fishing, riding his ATV, competitive target shooting, camping, and loved to spend time in the woods or outdoors regardless the season. Later in life, he enjoyed gardening and canning. He was happy to share his bounty. Howie was an active member of the Town of Herman Planning Commission, and served as an Election Inspector. He took great pride in civic engagement, and always encouraged people to exercise their right to participate and vote. Until his lymphoma began to slow him down, he continued to tinker in the garage, fill the birdfeeders, mow the lawn, and take care of projects around the farmhouse. In 2018, Howie relocated to Green Bay.

Howie was well known for his whimsical sense of humor. Even in his last days, he was able to share his humor to lift the spirits of his family and friends. In one of his last phone conversations with a close family friend who told Howie to "keep on truckin''. Howie was still able to pull out a one liner as he replied "Choke's open, hammer down, and burning out the clutch."

Blessed and grateful for his love and legacy are his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren, son Jeffrey (Diane) Schultz of Wauwatosa, WI., daughter Bonnie (Lon) Mosbrucker of Green Bay, WI, and daughter Lisa (Vincent) Angell of Oshkosh WI. His grandchildren include; grandson Ian Mosbrucker of Milwaukee WI, granddaughter Nicole Mosbrucker of Green Bay, WI and granddaughter Isabel Angell of Oshkosh WI. Howard is further survived by his beloved sister, Dolly Pleshek of Gresham, WI., sisters in law Barbra Reger, Schofield, WI and Betty Heling, Shawano WI, brother in law Ray Yaeger of Clintonville WI, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and special friends. Howard was preceded in death by both of his parents Leo Schultz and Elfrieda Schultz Heling, his step father Alvin Heling, his wife Carmen Schultz (Reger), brother Charles Heling, sister Luciann Yaeger, brother in law Ron Pleshek, and his former wife Sandra Schultz (Berndt).

Howie's family is grateful for the friendship and support of Pastor Steve Conradt, the St. John Church Care Committee, the Green Bay Aurora Hospice care team, his new friends and management at Woodside Village II in Green Bay, and the numerous friends and family who sent well wishes, and prayers for Howie during the later stages of his life and illness.

An outdoor funeral service for Howard will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 1:00 PM at St John's Lutheran Church in the Town of Herman. A private burial for family will take place in St John's Cemetery, Town of Herman, immediately following the service. Visitation will take place at the church on Friday from noon until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to the St. John Cemetery Society, for which Howie once served as Chairman.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the family requests that masks be worn while in attendance at service and social distancing practices be followed. If you are not comfortable attending, please direct cards and well wishes to the family in care of Swedberg Funeral Home, 518 W. 5 ^th St., Shawano, WI 54166.