Howard J. Saalman, age 97, of Inverness, Florida, formerly of Flora, passed away on Monday morning, October 2, 2018.

   Preceding him in death were his parents, Benjamin F. Saalman and Rubie O. (Geeding) Saalman; his first wife, Shirley (Roberts) Saalman, and his second wife Viva (Richards) Saalman; two brothers, Hollis and Bernard; three sisters, Helen Etchason, Wilma Robertson, and Lois Stine; and one stepson, Stanley Richards.

   Survivors include one son, Todd Saalman (Yvonne), Glendale, CA; two daughters, Gayle Lewellyn (Jeff), Seymour, IN, and Rebecca Loehe (Randy), Floral City, FL; three grandchildren, Samantha Loehe, Greendale, WI, Ryan Abegglen (Audrey), Indianapolis, IN, and Katelyn Marshall (Justin), Plainfield, IN; three great-grandchildren, Harmony Gast, Greendale, WI, and Bentley and Tanner Marshall, Plainfield IN; one stepson, Marlin Richards; four step-grandchildren; and several step-great-grandchildren.

   Mr. Saalman was born in Danville, IL, on April 25, 1921, the fourth child of six children of Benjamin and Rubie Saalman. At the age of two months, his parents located to Harvey, IL, (a Chicago suburb) where Howard lived most of his life. Howard attended grade school at Whittier, high school at Thornton Township (Class of 1939), and graduated from the Chicago Conservatory of Music as a voice major. Howard joined the United States Army Corps Air Cadet Program in January 1943, serving until March 1946.

   Once out of the service, he worked for J.C. Penney’s in Harvey, IL, and later joined the Buda Company, a company purchased by Allis Chalmers whose corporate office was located in West Allis, WI. Mr. Saalman was the Manager of Training and Development for Allis Chalmers Leasing and Allis Chalmers Credit Corporation.

   After his first wife passed away, he was transferred to the Materials Handling Division located in Matteson, IL, where he served as assistant to the sales manager. Here, he was introduced to Viva Richards, whom he later married. After their retirement, the Saalman’s moved to Flora in March 1987 where they lived together until Viva’s death in 2009. In 2013 Mr. Saalman purchased a home in Inverness, FL, to be close to his daughter, Rebecca.

   A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2018, at First Christian Church in Flora. Military honors will be presented at the conclusion of the service.  Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Private interment will take place at Cedar Park Cemetery, Calumet Park. Memorial donations are suggested to Disabled American Veterans and will be accepted by the funeral home.  Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.