AUBURN — Howard Price Powell Jr., most recently of Auburn, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with an illness on Jan. 31.

Howard was born March 1942, and raised in Mishawaka, Ind., one of three children to Howard P. Powell Sr. and Helen Fern Courtier of Indiana. He graduated with baccalaureate degrees from Indiana Central University and Eastern Kentucky University, and multiple advanced degrees from Eastern Illinois University.

Howard made an enormous impact in the communities in which he lived. He split his career into halves as an educator and counselor in various schools and colleges and the other half as a child advocate with the state of Illinois. Howard retired from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in 2005.

He was also engaged in many church and community activities. Howard was legendary within his communities for his generosity with his time and energies. Whether it was with the Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, Masons, or with his beloved church, Howard was always fully involved. The Powells were active members of the United Methodist Church in Chatham, Ill., for more than 35 years, a membership they transferred to the church of the same name when they made the move to Maine in 2009.

Howard is survived by his loving devoted wife of 43 years, Carol Sue Stephens of Moweaqua, Ill., where they were also married in 1967; Howard and Carol have three children, James Earl Powell (1960) of Cleveland Tenn., Howard Powell III (1969) and wife, Joelle Powell, of Poland Spring and Nicole Marie Gagne (1977) and husband, Dennis Gagne, of Leavenworth, Kan.; he is also survived by his five grandchildren, James Earl Powell Jr. (2000) of Tennessee, Lily Louise Powell (2002) and LiSha Jane Powell (2005) of Maine, and Colby Joseph Gagne (2002) and Emily Rebecca Gagne (2003) of Leavenworth Kan.; along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him.

Howard was predeceased by his sister, Shirley (1951), but is remembered by his remaining sister, Francis and her husband of more than 50 years, Leon Charles Farmer of Kalamazoo, Mich.

Through his love and devotion to others, whether friend, family, or stranger, whether momentary contact or that of a lifetime, Howard touched all deeply.

Condolences may be expressed at funeralalternatives.net.

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