Howard Jennings Clyne

On August 9, 2005, Howard J. Clyne died at his home at the age of 96. He was born January 4th, 1909, in Yale, Michigan. His parents, Dr. Benjamin and Etta Clyne, resided in Yale for more than seventy years and had four children. Art, Ben, and Bertha all preceded Howard in death. Howard married Hazel Smith, on June 28, 1941 and they celebrated 52 anniversaries before her death at home in 1993. They had four children: Donna (Bill) Jones, Douglas "Doc" Clyne, Dennis (Kathleen) Clyne and Sandra (Dave) Heyboer. His daughter, Donna Jones, and his granddaughter Amy Heyboer also preceded Howard in death. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Ken (Lisa) Tosch of Benicia, Calif; Dr. Ron (Cindy) Tosch of Benicia, California; Tony (Jill) Clyne of Clyde Township; Becky (Dave) Romps of Lake Orion; Andrea Clyne and Nick Clyne of Marysville; Mike Heyboer and Rob Heyboer of Lakeport. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren and various nieces and nephews. Howard was also survived by two special lifelong "daughters", Donna (Scott) Edgerton of Indian Rivers and Trish (Phillips) Brown of Port Huron. Howard was devoted to his wife, his family, and had a passion for law and fishing. Howard graduated from Yale High School in 1926, where he lettered in sports and debating. The debate team competed in the state semi-finals. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Eastern Michigan College in Ypsilanti in 1935 and graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1938. While attending the Detroit College of Law, Howard was chosen as a member of the editorial staff of the Detroit Law Review. He returned to Yale to open his law office and was a lawyer for 59 years. Howard's only law office was in his home; his beloved wife Hazel was his first and primary secretary. Unable to join the services, he suspended his law practice during World War II and worked in the munitions factory at Mueller Brass. While at Mueller Brass, he was elected President of Mueller Brass Local 44 UAWCIO in 1944 and served on the War Labor Board Panel for the St. Clair County area after the war, he continued as a lawyer in Yale. He particularly enjoyed trial work and had a reputation as an excellent trial attorney. During this time he was a noted negotiator for St. Clair County and several other municipalities; he served as the Yale city attorney from 1954 to 1977, as well as being the attorney for several townships and school boards. He was the Sanilac County Public Administrator from 1964 to 1986, and the St. Cl. Co. Public Administrator from 1968 until 1997. Howard was also a lifelong Democrat and was active in local politics. He was elected by the city of Yale to serve as supervisor on the St. Cl. Co. Board of Supervisors from 1944 to 1964, and served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors from 1957 to 1963. He also served as Vice Chairman of the St. Clair Co. Bd. of Auditors from 1965 to 1974. His son, Dennis, joined him in his law practice in Yale in 1972. Howard continued working in Yale and wintering in Florida, until retiring in 1997 at age 88. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. August 27, 2005 at the Kaatz Funeral Directors, Yale, with 10:00 a.m. visiting. Pastor Chris Wolfe of First Presbyterian Church of Yale, will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Blue Water Hospice or American Heart Association. For information and Guest book kaatzfunerals.com

Howard Jennings Clyne

January 4, 1909 - August 9, 2005