Howard Coyour

Howard Orlyn Coyour, age 80, of Springfield, died Sunday, June 29, 2008 at the Springfield Medical Center. Howard was born September 7, 1927 in Hornick, IA to Leo and Lillian (Hvan) Coyour. The family later moved to Hartley, IA and Fairmont, MN, where Howard attended school. Following graduation from Fairmont High School in 1946, he enlisted in the US Army and was involved in the occupation of Japan. After an honorable discharge in 1948, Howard returned to Fairmont to work with his dad at the lumber yard and drove truck for several years. On October 27, 1950, he married Scot Dorothy Fisher in Trimont. To this marriage were born four children - Marsha, Grant, Lee and Cindee. Moving to Springfield in 1963, Howard and Scot started the Sears Catalog Agency, which they continued to operate until 1982. Howard became the purchasing agent for the Springfield Hospital in late 1982, working at that position for the next 17 years until retirement in 1999. During his time in Springfield, Howard started volunteering at the Springfield Ambulance Service, later becoming the Ambulance Coordinator, serving the community for 34 years. Howard also assisted at Hoyt Funeral Home and later Sturm Funeral Home for many years. Howard was a long time member of St. John's Lutheran Church and various other organizations throughout the years. Survivors include his wife - Scot of Springfield, a son - Lee Coyour of Willmar and a daughter - Cindee and husband Jim Clausen of Burnsville. Other survivors include a sister - Claris Delayea of Norwood, IA and a sister-in-law - Sally Stewart of Mankato, formerly of New Ulm. He was preceded in death by his parents - Leo and Lillian Coyour; a daughter - Marsha in infancy; a son - Grant in 1999; sisters - Norma Jean in childhood, Nita and husband Marion Rankin; and a brother-in-law - Donald Stewart. Memorials are preferred to the Springfield Community Ambulance Service, Springfield Area Health Care Foundation, or St. John Lutheran Home Foundation or St. John Lutheran Home - Riverhaven Unit.