ASHLAND--- Isaac "Ike" Howes, 96, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2014, surrounded by his family at the Maine Veterans Home, Caribou. He was born June 9, 1917 in Ashland, a son of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (McPherson) Howes. He married Edna Bolstridge in Ashland, who died at the young age of 39 years, leaving him to raise their seven children, aged 2 to 11 years old. Ike was a veteran, serving with the US Army in Panama. He worked with Beaulier Oil Co., Guy Kirk, and the Town of Ashland. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and doing many fun things for and with his children. Ike is survived by: seven children, Inez Stockley of Charleston, Cynthia Carney of Massachusetts, Wanda Eltzroth and her husband Norris of Pennsylvania, Myrna Roberts of Charleston, Connie Stevens of Presque Isle, Frederick Howes and his fiancé Catherine O'Clair of Ashland, and Sheila McPherson and her husband Neil of Bangor; 2 step-children, Dawn Clark and her husband Milton of Ashland and Laura Bouchard of Portage; one brother, Merton Howes of Florida; 17 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; many step grandchildren and great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Ike is predeceased by: his first wife, Edna (Bolstridge) Howes; his second wife, Winnie Gardner; two step-children, Ellen Brooker and Leroy Howes; three brothers, Allen, Guy and Louis; and nine sisters, Beatrice, Charlene, Della, Eugena, Fredena, Harriet, Janice, Katherine and Nina. A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at 1 PM at the Advent Christian Church, Ashland. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday, Jan. 9, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and Friday, 11:30 - 12:30 PM at the Advent Christian Church, Ashland. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home-Ashland, 114 Exchange St., Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ike's name may be made to: Maine Veterans Home-Caribou, 163 Van Buren Rd., Caribou, ME 04736.