SOUTH PARIS – Alton L. Howe II, 83, of Waterford, passed peacefully into heaven with his loving family by his side, on Sept. 8, at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris, after a period of declining health.

He was born Feb. 20, 1923, in Norway at the Howe Homestead, to the late Alton and Ethel McKeen Howe.

He loved living on the farm and had many fond memories of this time in his life. He attended Norway schools and graduated from Norway High School in 1942.

After graduation, he drove a bus, transporting shipyard employees from the Norway area. He then joined the United States Army, where he served with the Medical Corps. After his discharge from the Army, he worked as a game warden in the Cherryfield District of Maine. When he returned to the Norway area he worked as a deliveryman for Cushman bakery for several years.

In 1970, he became an officer with the Paris Police, and then served as a deputy sheriff for the Bethel area. In 1972, he was elected sheriff of Oxford County. He served for 18 years, being re-elected every two years until 1986. He worked with the Legislature to have the law changed from a two-year term to a four-year term of office and in 1986, he was elected into a four-year term of office. He retired in 1990.

Other accomplishments he was proud of include serving as past president of Maine Sheriff’s Association from January 1983 to December 1984, completing courses through the Bureau of Corrections in Boulder, Colo., and Philadelphia, Pa., during his term as Sheriff, graduating from the National Sheriff’s conference at the FBI Academy in Quantico,Va., as well as being responsible for starting a defensive driving course and the Neighborhood Watch Program.

He also assisted in writing of a manual for small jails used nationwide.

During his career, he had significant input and was instrumental in the building of the new jail in 1979, and in implementing the new communication system.

Most recently he served as selectman in Waterford for six years.

He was a member of Round Mountain Grange, Past Master of Mt. Tirem Lodge 132, and a member of the American Legion. He was also a member of Spurr’s Corner Church in Otisfield, and he held a lifetime membership to Norway Country Club.

He married Donna Rice on Nov. 19, 1966. They resided in Augusta and South Paris, and finally settled in Waterford at Papoose Pond with their two children, April and Chip, in 1969. It was here that he had a vegetable garden every year that he took great pride in.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, tending his garden, snowmobiling, and anything that involved the out of doors. He enjoyed reading the Bible and was a man of strong faith in God.

He loved to spend time at the family camp at Hutchinson Pond in Albany. He learned guitar by self-teaching and had a wonderful singing voice. He had many loyal canine companions in his life, but none more dear than his beloved cocker spaniel, Mandy. He loved to eat steamed clams and lobster, too!

Alton is survived by his wife, Donna (Rice) Howe, of 40 years; their daughter, April and husband, Robert Olmstead, of Cranston, R.I.; and their son, Alton “Chip” III and wife, Barbara, of Scarborough. He is also survived by a son, Rodney Howe, of Waterford; his sister, Marion B. Howe, of Norway; nine grandchildren and one great-grandson.

He was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Pauline Howe Cushman and Rose Howe Holodynsky; and grandson, Ian Olmstead.