Big John Howard fights the Big C

More than 800 supporters gather Sept. 7 for the John Howard benefit at the Mackinder Glenn Post Legion Hall in Stockbridge.

by Tina Cole-Mullins

“After 24 years of working at Ford Motor Company, John Howard was told he would never work again or return to his job. The battle had begun, not only a physical battle but of mind and spirit, and a mounting financial one with no end in sight.

“While the news was devastating, in this family we believe in prayer,” Sherrie Howard-Harbert, John Howard’s sister said, “and we sought help from this community where my family has resided and contributed for more than 70 years.” She added, “The community did NOT disappoint.”

On September 7, the Mackinder-Glenn American Legion Hall in Stockbridge filled with family and friends from far and near. Community members came to support Big John Howard in his fight against stage-4 appendicular cancer.

One day after surgery Big John took to Facebook ” Just to let all know I’m doing good this time Cancer messed with the wrong guy!!!”

A southern-style, traditional family dinner was spread out. Loved ones offered live bluegrass and southern gospel music throughout the day. A corn-hole tournament, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and bake sale were benefit events. Big John, overwhelmed by the outpouring of more than 800 supporters, greeted guests with a smile and thanked them with a handshake or hug. He was particularly surprised as nearly 30 of his co-workers came from the Wayne Ford Motor Company.

A grateful John Howard, surrounded by his family said, “Thank you to everyone that came, donated, and volunteered their time to the benefit. There was so much that went into it, and we truly cannot measure our gratitude for everything everyone has done. The amount of love and support that was shown for us is something we are so blessed to have. We know we can get through this just because of the sheer support we’ve been given. Thank you!”

Howard’s diagnosis caught everyone off-guard. In late April this year, John and wife Val traveled to Kentucky to celebrate the birth of their granddaughter with their daughter.

“I am so proud of all my children. That God has blessed us and God will surely be there for my son John.
I am amazed at the out pour of love that was shown from family and friends at his benefit.
Thank You Everyone and God Bless You!” ~ Shirley Bailey pictured above with Big John & siblings.

But May 1, Howard awoke in the middle of the night to terrible abdominal pain. He was admitted into a hospital in Pikeville, Kentucky. There they found a mass on his appendix. After various tests, discomfort, and a second opinion, Howard underwent an appendectomy on May 3, removing a cancerous tumor from his appendix and small section of colon.

Val revealed on May 4 that while Big John successfully came through surgery, he “The doctor found that the cancer has spread. Our hearts are heavy, but we know that GOD is mightier than us or any cancer!”

End of May, John and Val were finally welcomed home to Michigan. His chemotherapy treatments, currently ever other week, began July 9 at Michigan Medicine of Brighton Center for Specialty Care.

“Again, I say thank you to those that donated food or drinks,” the Howard family wrote, “the businesses who donated silent auction items, the bake sale goods, the minister who opened the benefit with prayer and blessed the food, the silent auction workers, the musicians who came from near and far, the sound system being donated, [and] the Stockbridge Legion Hall for supporting this event. Finally, to the local Senior Citizen Joy who attended and offered her help in our time of need, despite her difficulty in standing and walking. You are all so amazing.”

Those who were unable to attend the benefit and would like to donate, may contact Sherrie Howard-Harbert at 517-795-8561 or send contributions to John Howard at 12890 Territorial Rd, Stockbridge MI 49285.

John Howard with wife Val at his side jokes in a visit with Kentucky family Darrel Howard and his wife Karen Cole-Howard. “I have to get sick before I get a hat, now I deserve a good case knife.”
“Guess he’ll get a knife.” the Howard’s share with their photo

Back row: Mike Herbart (brother in-law), Big John Howard, Warren Townsend (brother in-law). Middle row: Shirley Bailey (mother) Val Howard (wife) Angie Townsend (sister) Sherrie Howard-Herbart. Front row: Angie Howard (sister in-law) and Michael Howard (brother)