Howard “Howie” W. Lindman, of Elmhurst, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at the age of 83. He was surrounded by his loving family in his home after a battle with cancer, and passed just in time to join his beloved wife Pattie for a New Year’s Eve celebration dancing to “Lady in Red.”
Family members found themselves at a loss for words that were powerful or meaningful enough to describe their father, grandfather, and friend, whom they were so lucky to call their own.
Howie was born in Melrose Park on June 8, 1936, to Walter and Ethel Lindman. He attended Proviso Township high school where he met and fell head over heels for his Pattie. They married in 1956 and enjoyed 59 years together sharing a commitment that is rare in this world — constructed by love, integrity, and kindness. After her passing in 2015, Howie was left with a vacancy in his heart. He honored Pattie’s memory every single day.
After high school, Howie went to work for his Uncle Pete becoming the third generation of Swedish carpenters. (Later, his son Jeff would become the fourth generation in the business and continues the business today.)
Howie and Pat moved to Broadview to raise their three children, Lori, Jeff and Gary, and lived two doors away from his sister Carol and her family. In 1970 they moved to Elmhurst and soon after, Carol and her clan would follow. After losing their spouses, Howie and Carol shared blueberry muffins and coffee every Thursday morning and most other mornings, Howie could be found having coffee and solving world problems with “the boys” at Ron’s gas station until it sold; and, in later years, at Panera Bread.
Throughout the years, Howie never advertised his carpentry business. It was simply word-of-mouth from customer to customer about this master craftsman that always kept him busy and growing. Howie built love and care into hundreds of homes in the Chicagoland area. He specialized in finish work, crown molding and fine cabinetry. He also built lifelong friendships with many of his customers and was a father figure to the men who worked for him. The most prized project he ever built was his cabin on Two Sisters Lake in northern Wisconsin, which they named “Serenity.” Howie counted the days until the snow melted and he could open the cabin again welcoming family and friends and making so many wonderful memories, especially for the grandchildren he adored.
“Captain” Howie loved to take pontoon boat rides, fish and sit around the bonfire for hours on end. The cabin was a continual work in progress, built on a solid foundation of love and the most beautiful legacy a man could leave. Consider yourself lucky if you have one of his handcrafted birdhouses.
Howie taught us all compassion through his words and actions, and that there is always room in your heart to love another person. He went out of his way to make people feel loved and thought of. He became an extension to so many other people’s families. He was a father and mentor to dozens of people, which we were happy to share him with. Howie leaves behind countless people who will miss him and always lovingly remember him.
Howie is predeceased by his parents, Walter and Ethel Lindman; his wife, Pattie Lindman; and brother-in-law, Bruce Most. He is survived by his children, Lori (Doug) Johnson, Jeff Lindman and Gary Lindman; his grandchildren, Jenna (Patrick Lopardo) Lindman, Scott Copas and Danielle (Justin) Johnston; his sister Carol (Bruce) Most; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Gibbons Funeral Home in Elmhurst on Thursday, January 9th from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, with a service at 6:00 PM.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family would appreciate support with a memorial in Howie’s name to Ignite Hope. Arrangements provided by Gibbons Funeral Home. For more information, call 630-832-0018 or gibbonsfuneralhome.com.
