Donald "Don" Howland

***UPDATED TO INCLUDE SERVICE DETAILS***

Don's memorial service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, 11:00AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, PA 19382. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to County Corrections Gospel Mission, 127 Brandamore Road, Honeybrook, PA 19344

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Donald “Don” Howland age 91 of Chadds Ford, PA went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 15, 2025.

Don and his wife, Kathryn “Kay”, celebrated 72 years of marriage at the time of his passing.

Born in 1934 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, Don was the son of the late Edward Howland and Isabella Craig Howland.

Don and Kay met in 7th grade, with their first major interaction being the borrowing of a nickel by Don so he could repay a candy store debt. When Kay asked Don to the Sadie Hawkins dance in their junior year of high school, their life together started. They were engaged to be married by the end of their senior year in 1952 and married in December of 1953.

After graduating from Bloom Township HS in 1952, Don briefly attended the Virginia Military Academy, followed by attendance at Thornton Junior College. He became a proud graduate of Northwestern University while attending night classes, working full time, and having 3 young daughters. After a few short moves eastward including a short stay in Indiana and 5 years in New York, Don became the Business Manager for the West Chester School District for nearly 30 years. He and the family moved to Chadds Ford in 1971 and have remained in the same community since.

Don was an avid wood carver, creating over 100 various birds that he generously gave as gifts. He was also a painter as well as a pointillism artist, worked many years as a Hagley Museum machine shop volunteer, was a member of The Lions Club, and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He and Kay were private pilots during the 1970s and 1980s.

Don’s greatest joys were being married to the love of his life, Kay, being a father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He spent his children’s youth encouraging the girls to meet their potential and teaching them that they could be and do anything they set their minds and hearts on. He was their hero when it came to challenging authority and discriminatory rules against women. 

Don was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and was consistent in his testimony of the Gospel with friends and strangers alike.  He was a long-time member of the Brandywine Baptist Church and a consistent supporter of various Christian missions around the world and in local ministries, with special focus on the County Corrections Gospel Mission at Chester County prisons. 

Don is survived by his wife Kay Mitchell Howland; daughters, Donna Cooke, Cathy Whisler, Nancy Howland, and Jill Frankie; grandchildren, Kate Howland, Aaron and Quinn Mosher, Jessica and George Scarino; and great grandchildren, Avalene, Asher, Isla, Noah, Emme, and Elijah.

He is predeceased by his parents, brother Gerald, granddaughter Cherryn Whisler, and grandson Matthew Whisler.

Don will be interred in a private graveside service on December 22,2025 at the Brandywine Baptist Church.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date with details to be determined. An update will be given on this site.

To check back for updated service details or to share a message with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com. Arrangements by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square, PA.