Col. (Ret.) Michael Bruce Howe 1940 -2008Our devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Col. (Ret.) Michael Bruce Howe, age 68, resident of Austin, was called to our Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 24, 2008. He passed away at home after a long illness. Col. Howe is survived by his loving wife, Diane; daughters Meredith Fulton and Melinda Hickey; sons-in-law David Fulton and John Hickey; grandsons Joel Hickey and Matthew Hickey; granddaughter Olivia Fulton. He was preceded in death by his father Clinton Washington Howe; mother Winnie Mae Howe; and sister Judy Scipioni. Col. Howe proudly served his country in the United States Army for 25 years. He served two tours in Vietnam as an Army Aviator. He was awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, an Air Medal with Valor, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, and a Legion of Merit Award. His last assignment while on active duty was Program Manager for the CH-47 D (Chinook) and V-22 (Osprey) helicopters. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all of the doctors and nurses at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for their heartfelt care over the past five years, and to the many friends and family for their unending support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association. Formal Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 27th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Mission Funeral Home - 6204 South First Street, Austin, TX. A Funeral Service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 28th at the Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel. Internment will follow at 1:15 p.m., at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.