Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, Melissa Karolyn Howard, age 27, who died tragically as the result of a vehicle accident on August 26, 2025. Though her time with us was brief, Melissa’s legacy of love, kindness, and light will remain in our hearts. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Melissa is survived by her beloved son, Jason Howard (9); her parents, Lowell "J.R." and Kimberly (Coulter) Howard of Leavenworth, KS; her twin, Mel Howard; and her brother, Cameron Howard. She is also survived by her grandparents, Lowell and Sue (Mathews) Howard of Kennewick, WA, and Alton Coulter and Jackie Stack of Atlantic Beach, FL; her aunt and uncle, Kathy Coulter and Andrew Billin of San Mateo, CA; her aunt and uncle, Holly and Shane Barnes, and their children, Tad, Sage, and Quinn, her uncle and aunt, Matt and Juliska Howard, and their children, Marjolein and Annelise; her aunt and uncle, Danielle and Chris Kleist, and their children, Emma and James; and her aunt Kelly (Howard) Elliott and sons, Taylor and Ryan. She is also survived by her son Gabriel Burgart (6), who is lovingly cared for by his adoptive parents, Dr. Jennifer and Jay Burgart of Asheboro, NC. Melissa was preceded in death by her grandmother, June Karolyn Ketchum Coulter.
Pallbearers will be Mel Howard and Cameron Howard, both of Leavenworth, KS; Mathew Ketchum of Jackson, Al; Taylor Howard of Richland, WA; Dr. David Fontaine of Harker Heights, TX; and Reuben Burch of Memphis, TN.
Melissa’s generous spirit continued even after her passing through the gift of organ donation, which has saved the lives of several others. Her legacy of kindness lives on not only in the memories of those who loved her, but also in the renewed hope she provided to families in need.
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Belden Larkin Funeral Home in Leavenworth, Kansas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Pioneer Chapel, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Following the service, a celebration of Melissa’s life will take place at 2 p.m. at the Riverfront Community Center. All who knew and loved her are invited to attend and share in remembering her beautiful life.
Instead of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in her name to a local domestic violence shelter or to Donate Life of America.
beldenlarkin.com/obituaries/Melissa-Karolyn-Howard?obId=44691289
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, Melissa Karolyn Howard, age 27, who died tragically as the result of a vehicle accident on August 26, 2025. Though her time with us was brief, Melissa’s legacy of love, kindness, and light will remain in our hearts. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Melissa is survived by her beloved son, Jason Howard (9); her parents, Lowell "J.R." and Kimberly (Coulter) Howard of Leavenworth, KS; her twin, Mel Howard; and her brother, Cameron Howard. She is also survived by her grandparents, Lowell and Sue (Mathews) Howard of Kennewick, WA, and Alton Coulter and Jackie Stack of Atlantic Beach, FL; her aunt and uncle, Kathy Coulter and Andrew Billin of San Mateo, CA; her aunt and uncle, Holly and Shane Barnes, and their children, Tad, Sage, and Quinn, her uncle and aunt, Matt and Juliska Howard, and their children, Marjolein and Annelise; her aunt and uncle, Danielle and Chris Kleist, and their children, Emma and James; and her aunt Kelly (Howard) Elliott and sons, Taylor and Ryan. She is also survived by her son Gabriel Burgart (6), who is lovingly cared for by his adoptive parents, Dr. Jennifer and Jay Burgart of Asheboro, NC. Melissa was preceded in death by her grandmother, June Karolyn Ketchum Coulter.
Pallbearers will be Mel Howard and Cameron Howard, both of Leavenworth, KS; Mathew Ketchum of Jackson, Al; Taylor Howard of Richland, WA; Dr. David Fontaine of Harker Heights, TX; and Reuben Burch of Memphis, TN.
Melissa’s generous spirit continued even after her passing through the gift of organ donation, which has saved the lives of several others. Her legacy of kindness lives on not only in the memories of those who loved her, but also in the renewed hope she provided to families in need.
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Belden Larkin Funeral Home in Leavenworth, Kansas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Pioneer Chapel, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Following the service, a celebration of Melissa’s life will take place at 2 p.m. at the Riverfront Community Center. All who knew and loved her are invited to attend and share in remembering her beautiful life.
Instead of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in her name to a local domestic violence shelter or to Donate Life of America.
beldenlarkin.com/obituaries/Melissa-Karolyn-Howard?obId=44691289
