Howard C. "Howie" Fenton

Howard C. “Howie” Fenton, 85 of Laurel, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017.

He was born in 1931 to Howard Lloyd and Florence (Bebout) Fenton in Akron, Ohio.

Howie was a Master Sargent (E-8) serving with the United States Army for 30 years from May 1948 until his retirement in June 1978. Howie’s general duties while serving with the Army were overseeing, mess halls, housing, burial detail and all other required support of troops, active duty, as well as National Guard and Reserve troops. His assignments throughout the world were, Germany, Italy, Korea, Vietnam and several assignments throughout the United States. He considered his most important assignment from 1962-1964, where he was assigned to Quarter Master Techinical Intelligence Detachment at Headquarters, US Army Europe with Special duty assigned to Berlin. Duties as a senior enlisted man and Chief Clerk of the Joint Refugee Center in Berlin. Handeling all intelligence reports and assisted all interrogations of refugee’s that came over, under and through the Berlin Wall then forwarding all reports to the approiate units in the United States. While on assignment, he wore only civilian clothing and was known by cover name “Gustauf Fiebog”. He also had to learn the German language. Howie’s awards while enlisted include, National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupational Medal (Germany), Army Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorios Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal; Bronze Star Medal w/ second Oak Leaf Cluster, Expert Rife Badge (M-16) and four Over Seas Bars.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mildred “Millie” (Rucker) Fenton, Laurel, MD; three daughters, Barbara (Dennis) Mafia, Bayville, NJ; Linda (Dennis) Morony, Fords, NJ; Patricia (George) Catusco, Bayville, NJ; a Step-daugher Jill Anderson, Silver Lake, OH;  grandchildren, Fred Wilkerson (Jennifer), Uncasville, CT; Samantha Tisch (Rick), Bayville, NJ;  great grandchildren, Jacob, Julie, Justin, Wilkerson, and Lilly Tisch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Ronald Fenton and two sisters Ruth Wetmore and Esther Slendorn.

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Friday, May 26, 2017 at the Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbot Ave, Laurel, MD 20707.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday at the Donaldson Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will take place at Hillside Memorial Park, Akron, OH.

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