Howard Hart VanMeter, long-time resident of Harrisonville, MO died Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at Foxwood Springs Living Center in Raymore, MO. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2010 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville with burial at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Visitation will be Saturday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Masonic Services at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Freeman Presbyterian Church, PO Box 38, Freeman, MO 64746.

Howard had lived in Harrisonville since 1947. Howard was born August 23rd, 1919 in Freeman, MO, the son of Henry Thomas "Tom" and Ula Mary (Hart) VanMeter. Howard was a 1938 graduate of Freeman High School. He was drafted into the United States Army on June 7th, 1942 during World War II, at the age of 23. Prior to being sent to flight school, Howard was a cook at Ft. Riley, Kansas before volunteering for flight school. He was later transferred to the Army's 8th Air Force in Europe, where he served as a waist gunner/dispatcher on a B-24 bomber named Caldon-ya in the 492nd Bomb Group's 856 Bomb Squadron, better known as "The Carpetbaggers". Howard was nicknamed "Pappy", as he was older than most of the crew. Their mission was to fly low-level night bombing missions to supply the underground in Denmark, France, Holland, and Norway. Howard was discharged from the Army on October 27, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

On March 2, 1946 Howard married Roetta Jeane Dale. In 1947, Howard and Jeane moved into a second story apartment at 201 West Washington in Harrisonville. In early 1965, they purchased the house and moved downstairs. They resided in that house almost all of their married life and Howard continued to live in that house until early 2010, when his health forced him to sell the house and move to Foxwood Springs. Jeane passed away on May 8, 1994.

In the fall of 1947, a couple of men that Howard knew wanted him to go to work for them and he went to work for one of them. He was a butcher by trade before the war, and so he ran a locker plant. Another gentleman asked Howard to go to work for him, and he then started working for Harvey Implement Company (later Harvey's of Harrisonville, Inc.). He worked for Harvey's from 1948 until April of 1981 when the longtime business closed its doors. At that time Howard was the parts manager and a part owner and secretary-treasurer of the Corporation.

In his retirement, Howard remained active, serving the community in many organizations and many ways. It was not unusual to find Howard cooking for the Lions Club, Legion, VFW, or the Lodge or Shrine Club. He had been a member of the Harrisonville Lions Club. He was an active member and past master of Cass Masonic Lodge No. 147 and the Wyoming Chapter in Pleasant Hill. He was also active in the American Legion Post 42 and VFW Post 4409 in Harrisonville. He was a past commander of the VFW post, as well as a past district commander of the District of Missouri. He was an active member of the Harrisonville Honor Guard, and had presented numerous flags to spouses and family of departed veterans. In the 50's and early 60's Howard also served as a volunteer firefighter on Harrisonville's Legionnaire Fire Department, the nation's first American Legion Fire Department, founded in 1923. He also enjoyed travelling.

In addition to his wife, Jeane, Howard was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Maxine Lott, a nephew, Nelson Dale and his dear friend, Alice Whitsitt. He is survived by his sister, Lucille Ullery and husband, John of Freeman, MO; three nephews; two nieces and at least 5 great nieces and nephews.

Will Rogers was quoted as saying "I never met a man I didn't like". It can truly be said of Howard VanMeter that he never met a person that didn't like him. He will be missed by a host of relatives and friends.