The funeral service for Howard Louis Colvin, 78, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church.

The Rev. Dwight Netzer will officiate.

Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Bonnerup Funeral Home and one hour prior to service. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Groups.

Howard died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at his home surrounded by his caring wife and loving family.

Howard was born on May 10, 1929 in Wells to Courtelyou and Tillie (Niebuhr) Colvin.

He was baptized and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church and grew up on the family farm in Wells. After graduating from Freeborn High School in 1947, Howard entered into the United States Marine Corps.

He went through basic training at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Calif. and was stationed at Adak, Alaska. He served as a drill instructor in Parris Island, S.C. and was discharged in 1953.

Howard started his lifelong career in the egg business in 1953 when he began driving a truck for the John Haddy Company, Kroger Company and eventually forming Colvin and Miller Inc. with his business partner Berdell Miller of Freeborn.

They hauled eggs and established customers throughout Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. In 1984, the business was sold to Hillandale Farms and Howard retired as egg-marketing manager in 2000.

On June 25, 1960, Howard married Erma Richter in Mason City, Iowa. He was a member and a deacon of First Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, VFW, Elks and Eagles Club.

He was an avid Minnesota sports fan, season ticket holder for Gopher Football and an armchair quarterback for the Vikings.

He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, good conversations and sitting on the porch waving at the neighbors.

His unique sense of humor with a &8220;saying for everything&8221; kept people on their toes.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Erma; children Steve (Deb) Colvin of Albert Lea; Jeffrey (Gerri) Colvin of Carrollton, Texas; Tracy (Tonya) Colvin of Gilbert, Ariz.; Robyn (Jon) Hawkinson of Ramsey; Dorian Colvin and Jean Tentinger and 10 Grandchildren: Jeremy, Jacob, Dusty, Casey, Alex, Sophia, Carson, Devon, Libby and Tanner; his two sisters Janice Parriott of Wells, Nancy (Gary) Pierce of Chaska; two sister-in-laws Ruth Colvin and June Jordahl.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bernie and Cordy.

Howard will always be remembered for his warm heart, generous spirit and his hard work ethic.

Once a Marine always a Marine … Semper Fi.