June 18, 1932 – July 20, 2023
Howard “Howdy” Merritt Boor, 91, Noblesville, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023, after suffering a stroke a few days before his 91st birthday. He was born on June 18, 1932, to the late Francis Boor and Elizabeth (Merritt) Boor in Lafayette, Ind.
Howdy was a graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School and Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. After college, Howdy joined the army and was stationed in Germany. Making use of his location in Europe, he traveled to numerous countries, including England, and had fantastic stories to tell. When his two-year stint was done, he opted to go home “the long way” with a fellow GI who was also headed home. He traveled through Iran, Pakistan, India (went on safari for panthers), and Japan, to name just a few stops.
He married June (Law) Boor in 1959. She preceded him in death on September 18, 2021, after 62 years of marriage. Married in Lafayette, Howdy was working for Dun and Bradstreet in Indianapolis. In 1965, he joined Elliot Williams Co., Inc., a locally owned manufacturer of commercial walk-in refrigerators, as a credit and office manager. He stayed with that company until retiring in 1998.
His traveling did not stop throughout his life. Howdy and June traveled to all 50 states and to Europe as well as several cruises. Together they actively participated in horseback riding mostly in the Western mountains, cross-country skiing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, bike riding, and hiking. Howdy had been a swimmer in high school and college so, with June’s encouragement, he continued to swim laps three times a week up to the week before he became ill.
His friends were many spanning from grade school, high school, college, work, and his cul-de-sac neighbors. In fact, a surprise 91st birthday party by his neighbors was scheduled until his stroke changed the plans.
Howdy is survived by his son, Mark (Cheryl) Boor of Evergreen, Colo., and daughter, Evelyn (Mike) Bonebrake of Gilbert, Ariz; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Elizabeth “Tooty” Ribares of Fort Myers, Fla.; and his sister-in-law Marilyn (Law) Campbell of Terre Haute, Ind.
Services will be held at a later date. Howard’s care has been entrusted to Randall & Roberts Funeral Homes.
Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County, 395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN 46060 (mealsonwheelshc.org).
Condolences: randallroberts.com