Gilbert Howard Carrell

Gilbert “Howard” Carrell, 87, of Danville, IL passed away at his home on August 13, 2025 at 7:42 AM.

Howard was born on November 7, 1937 the son of Harold and Elenora “Lenora” (Snell) Carrell in Indianapolis, IN. He married Peggy Jean Wangler on November 10, 1995 and she survives.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Jean Carrell of Danville, IL, his daughters, Pamela Nichols of Tilton, IL and Marcy Carrell of Georgetown, IL, his stepson, Brad King of Danville, IL, eight grandchildren, Steven (Kimberly) Carrell, Stephanie Donithan, Maranda Legg, Matt (Lauren) Carrell, Clinton Weir, Chrystal Carrell, Elizabeth (Bill) Cannon, Dean (Bailea) Fegett, three step grandchildren, Dylan King, Lyndsey Eldridge and Carter Eldridge. Howard is also survived by thirty-two great grandchildren, six great great grandchildren, two siblings, David Carrell of Springfield, IL and Shirley Hanley of Panama City, FL and a daughter-in-law, Teresa Jones.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Mary Carrell, two sons, one an infant, David Paul Carrell and Gary Carrell, one stepdaughter, Melissa Eldridge, and three siblings, Edwin Carrell, Charlotte Wilson and Paul Carrell.

Howard was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Danville, IL. He loved attending church services and reading his Bible when his eyesight was better. Howard enjoyed fishing and camping in Illinois during the summer and in Florida during the winter. He was a past member of the Vermilion County Fishing Club. In more recent years he enjoyed going to Rich’s Family Restaurant to dine on polish sausage and sauerkraut and recently reacquired a taste for chicken wings.

Howard was raised on a farm as a child. As a boy and young man, he enjoyed hunting small animals for food. One time, Howard brought home a baby pig whose mother could/would not take care of the piglet. He snuck that piglet into the house unbeknownst to the adults and kept it in the house until it became a large boar.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, IL 61834. Jon Carrell will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Catlin, IL. Visitation will be held from 1-3:00 PM on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in Howard’s memory to the First Church of the Nazarene in Danville, IL.

Please join Howard’s family in sharing memories, photos, and video of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.