Howard was born in Rutland, Illinois on October 20, 1925 to Benjamin and Fern Alma Lynch Uphoff. He was one of seven children; his siblings preceded him in death. Howard graduated from Rutland High School in 1943. He served in the U. S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre during WWII as a radio operator. On November 6, 1949, on what he considered the best day of his life, Howard married Donna Smith in Wenona, Illinois. They have four children: Kevin (Alma) Uphoff of Escondido, CA; Dirk (Helen) Uphoff of Peoria, AZ; Lisa Uphoff of Peoria, IL and Penny Zimmerman of Washington. Howard also has 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Howard was a charter member of Rutland Post 1121, American Legion. He also was a member of St. MarkA