RUSSELL — Howard E. Mai, 85, died Sept. 15, 2017, at the Russell Regional Hospital. He was born on April 17, 1932, in Russell, the son of John J. and Katherina Elizabeth (Maier) Mai. He grew up in the Bender Hill area and attended Bender Hill Schools and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1950. He married Joetta M. Mai on Aug. 19, 1956, at the American Lutheran Church in Milberger. He worked as a farmer and oil field pumper. He worked for Agco as a petroleum salesman for many years.
Howard was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, a lifetime member with the Russell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6240, Russell American Legion Post No. 99 and BPOE No. 1715; all of Russell. He was a past treasurer of the Bender Hill Church and was a school board member of the Mulberry School District.
He is survived by his wife, of the home; daughters Mona L. Grady of Russell, and Michele L. Clark of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister Wilmetta Deutsch; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers Leo Mai, Walter Mai, Clarence Mai and Earlin Mai; and sister Viola Bender.
A Celebration of Howard’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at St. John Lutheran Church with the Rev. Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery where Russell VFW Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. Visitation will be held noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6-7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Russell County Food Pantry or St. John Lutheran Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to in care of the mortuary.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
610 N. Maple
Russell, KS 67665
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 17, 2017