Howard Warren Deacons died on January 16, 2017, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe, surrounded by his family.  He was born June 12, 1931 in Port Huron, the son of the late George and Viola (Frost) Deacons.  He was raised in Filion and attended the Filion and Kinde Schools.  He and Nancy Gottschalk were married in Filion on June 30, 1952.

Howard was employed by the Michigan Oven Company in Caseville as a welder until retirement.  He also worked as a seaman on a Great Lakes freighter and as a pin setter at Biff's Bowling Alley in his younger years.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He loved his family dearly and had a great sense of humor.  Howard loved playing guitar and was always singing around the house, in church and at family gatherings.  He was a talented woodworker.  He enjoyed pheasant hunting, taking the family camping and sharing family stories around a campfire.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, his children; Steve (Tammy) Deacons of Stanton, Don Deacons of Bad Axe, John (Karlene) Deacons of Filion, Dave (Wendy) Deacons of Filion, and Mary Ann Deacons (Brad Braden) of Bad Axe.

Also surviving are his grandchildren: Brandon, Erika, Kayla, Abby (Dakota), Ashlee (Dave), Josh (Tia), Jesse (Ashlee), Rachel (Rob), Brian, Dan Phil, Zachary, and Keegan; his great-grandchildren; Adriana, Kynzie, Mason, Trenton, Eli, Emily, Cascius, and Rocky Mack; as well as his sisters, Eileen (Franklin) Miller, and Joyce Gusa.  He was preceded in death by his son, Warren Deacons, his sisters; Donna (Chuck) Eddy, and Helen (Clarence) Pratt, and his brother, Eugene Deacons.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Saturday, January 28, 2017 in the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church, with visitation in the church from 10:00 until the time of service at 11:00 am. Pastor Jerry Sutton will officiate.  Arrangements were made through the Knoblock Funeral Home, Kinde.