Obit: Howard, M. Leo (1916 - 1999)
Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Howard, McNamara, Grothen

----Source: Internet, newspaper unknown

Howard, M. Leo (9 Oct. 1916 - 30 Oct. 1999)

M. Leo Howard, 83, formerly of Eau Claire, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999, at the Chippewa Manor Nursing Home, Chippewa Falls.

He was born Oct. 9, 1916, in Gravette, Ark., the son of Robert and Mary Howard. He attended schools in Pittsburgh, Kansas, including Kansas State Teacher’s College from which he graduated.

In 1937, he started in radio as an announcer at KOAM in Pittsburg, later he went on to KWTO Springfield, Missouri, KFBI Wichita, Kan., and WEDC Chicago, Ill. At this point he entered the Army as a Private and was honorably discharged as a Captain, having been Company Commander with the 84th division in the European Theatre. Among the decorations he received were a Bronze Star with Four Oak-Leaf Clusters, the Croix de Guerre, the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross.

Leo returned to the broadcasting industry in 1946, working as commercial and general manager in Oklahoma City, Nashville, Des Moine and Tulsa. In 1955 he came to Eau Claire as a General Manager of WEAU-TV, and was also General Manager of WAXX-AM and WEAU-FM of Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire.

He also served as the President of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, Chippewa Valley Board of Trade, Director of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and a member of the Commerce and Industry Advisory Committee. He was past member of the Masonic Lodge and Zor Shrine. Due to illness, Leo retired in 1971.

Leo married Edith McNamara in 1947 and they had three children.

He will be sadly missed by his children, Susan Grothen and Bill (Tammy) Howard; and five grandchildren, Stephanie, Abby, Amy, Kimberly and Kyle.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith; and his son, Robert.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Smith Funeral Chapel, Eau Claire. Interment will be in Prairie View Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel.