Howard Lockhart, 88, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his home following a two-month battle with cancer.

Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M., Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, March 25, 2010 at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish. Burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to benefit United Church of Christ or Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Howard was born August 27, 1921 in Newville, ND to Virgil and Della (Stryker) Lockhart. He grew up in a large family of five boys and three girls. He attended and graduated from Egeland Public High School in 1939. After graduation, he moved to California where he worked in the Post Office and then gained employment at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. On Christmas Day, 1941, he married his high school sweetheart, Myrtle Vesterso, in Los Angeles, CA. To this union, five children were born.

Howard entered the U.S. Navy in Los Angeles, CA in September 1943 and was trained as an aviation machinist. He was later stationed in Pensacola, FL where he was an airplane mechanic. He remained stateside during WWII and was honorably discharged in January 1946. After leaving the Navy, he and his brother, Virgil, owned a cabinet shop in California.

Howard and his family moved back to Egeland, ND in 1948 and lived in the house he had grown up in. Here, he did carpentry work with his brother, Mert. He began his farming career in 1949 on Snorest Farms raising Black Angus cattle and numerous crops.

They moved to McIntosh, SD in 1959 and continued farming there until he purchased the lumber yard in McIntosh. He operated Lockhart Lumber for twenty years. He and Myrtle then moved to Spearfish, SD where they bought the Sherwood Lodge Motel in 1979. He continued in the motel business until retirement in 1990. During this time, he enjoyed helping his friend, Josef Meier, on the Meier Ranch near Spearfish. He participated in the Black Hills Passion Play as a Disciple for 16 years.

Howard was a very hard worker and did everything to the best of his ability. He instilled a strong work ethic and high moral values in his children and grandchildren. He had read the Bible many times and had an unwavering faith in God. Everyone, including family and friends, told Howard their troubles and he was a good listener and counselor. Howard was a member of the United Church of Christ Church in Spearfish, a long time member of the American Legion and a volunteer at the Spearfish Food Pantry.

He is survived by four children, Sandra (Marshall) Campbell, Rapid City; Holly (Jim) Glines, Rapid City; Steve Lockhart, Viborg, SD; Carol Lockhart, Custer, SD; one sister, Ruth Pauls, Sarasota, FL; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Myrtle; his son, Marlon; four brothers and two sisters.