Howard E. Lavin
1934-2024
Howard E. Lavin, 90, of Stetsonville, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. He was born May 10, 1934 at home in the town of Holway to Edward and Helen (Solie) Lavin. He graduated from Medford High School in 1952. Howard served in the U.S. Army from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1956. In 2019, he was grateful to go on the Vets Roll Honor Trip to Washington D.C. with fellow veterans.
On June 29, 1957, he married Gwenith Hoffman. They resided in the Stetsonville area most of their marriage and raised five children there. Howard started out working as a mechanic at the Farmer’s Union, which later became the Medford Co-op. He then purchased a gas truck and ran gas for the Co-op, later selling the truck to the Co-op. He was then hired at the Dorchester Co-op to run their hardware department, which he did for many years until his retirement in 1998. Howard was also the Deer Creek Town Clerk for many years.
Following his retirement, he and Gwenith enjoyed traveling and took many bus trips throughout the United States and even made it to Alaska! He was a talented woodworker and made many treasured items for his friends and family including kitchen cabinets, furniture, and other items. For high school graduations, he made his granddaughters cedar chests, and the grandsons received trunks. He even made rocking chairs for each of his great-grandchildren. Howard had a big heart and selflessly did for others. He was always on the go, taking people grocery shopping, to appointments or helping people in some way.
He will be missed by his wife of 67 years, Gwenith of Stetsonville; five children, Michael (Alice) Lavin of Nekoosa, Susan (DuWayne) Gumz of Abbotsford, Sandra (Robert) Schreiner of Stetsonville, Shirley (Michael) Emmerick of Medford, Marvin Lavin of Medford; siblings, Paul (Susie) Lavin, Louetta Lavin, Ralph (Diane) Lavin, Gail (Tom) Hessing; sister-inlaw, Joann Lavin; brother-in-law, Donald (Marge) Hoffmann; 12 grandchildren, Stacey (Cory) McManus, Jason Lavin, Jared (Heidi) Lavin, Ellie (Mike) Haffmann, Elizabeth (Chad) Maramonte, Wendy Johnson, Dustin (Cody) Gumz, Shari Preisinger, Bradley (Kim) Schreiner, Sarah (Nick Pernsteiner) Schreiner, Heide Emmerich (Aaron Wilkins); 18 greatgrandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wayne, Richard and Morris Lavin; sister-in-law, Ann Lavin; brother-in-law, Leonard Stauske; and grandson, Andrew Emmerich.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Holway with Pastor Barb Krug, SAM, officiating. A flag presentation followed the service provided by the Medford Area Military Honors Team with burial in the church cemetery.
Visitation was held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m., Tuesday at the church.
Memorials are appreciated and will be designated by the family at a later time.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family.
Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.
Paid Obituary 160899
