Howard Laverne Battisfore

Howard Laverne Battisfore, 92, of Waukegan, passed away peacefully at Rolling Hills Manor nursing home in Zion, Il, on March 17, 2016, to join his beloved wife Arlene in everlasting life. "Howie" was born October 17, 1923, to Charles Herbert and Margaret Battisfore. As a youth, Howie took a great interest in automotive repair, which became his life's work. At age 19, just one day after he and Arlene Lindelof eloped to marry in St. Louis, Missouri, he left to proudly serve in World War II in the U.S. Army and Army Air Corps. After the war, Howie returned to Waukegan where he resided and was a long-time auto mechanic at G.L. Miller Motor Sales. Later in his career, he established his own business, Howie's Alignment Specialist, in Gurnee, where he grew a loyal customer base, including work for local car dealerships. Howie served for several years on the Waukegan Civil Service Commission, on the Lake County Veteran's Assistance Commission, and as Service Officer of the American Legion Homer Dahringer Post #281. He was a life-long member of both the American Legion and the Loyal Order of the Moose. Howie was predeceased by his loving wife Arlene, sons James Howard Sr. and William; grandson John Kenton Battisfore; brother Wesley; sisters Margaret (Stanley) Zegar, Florence (Edward) Dackie, and Lucille (John) Van Parys; and many good friends. He leaves to cherish his memory sister Eleanore (Charles) Ahlstrom; daughter Linda (Glenn Sr.) Holmes and son John (Cheryl) Battisfore; grandchildren Brian (KC) Battisfore, James (Kari) Battisfore, Jr., Jami (Tommy) Feltner, Matthew (Mi Chong) Holmes, Glenn (Jennifer Vick) Holmes, Jr., and Lisa and Rebecca Battisfore; dear neighbor and friend Sharon Byrne, and best friend Karl Case. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 22, from 5 to 8pm, at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, Il. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 23, at 10am, at Congdon Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Northshore Garden of Memories, North Chicago, Il. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be donated to Rolling Hills Manor, 3615 16th St., Zion, Il 60099, or to a U.S. military veterans fund of their choice.