Howard Jay Schulz, age 61 of Markesan, left this world on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, just in time to get to heaven for mom's birthday party (to eat cake and sloppy joes) and is finally at peace.

A memorial gathering for Howard will take place on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 5:00 p.m.

Howard was born on May 6, 1961, to Willis and Phyllis (Bradley) Schulz. He was a 1979 graduate of Markesan High School. On August 17, 1991, he was united in marriage to his wife, Cynthia. He worked at Kohn's Transfer, hauling milk for many years until they sold. He then drove milk truck for J&J trucking. The farmers appreciated him and looked forward to seeing him. In 2015, he went to work for Navis Excavating, who took great care of Howard through this battle with cancer. He loved spending time with friends and neighbors, who called him Harold, the shop foreman, when he took a 3:00 p.m. break to share a Pepsi and Cheeto puffs. Howard called his friends daily to check in and talk about their life or the cattle market, but never about what he was going through. He also liked going "windshield farming," taking drives, and enjoyed when the neighbors and their children stopped over.

Howard is survived by his wife, Cindy Schulz; his sister, Lynnette (Jim) Lieske; brothers, Larry (Karen) Schulz and Randy (Judy) Schulz; nieces and nephews, Michelle, Ashley (Craig), Patrick, Alex, Melissa, Kelsey, and Kaitlyn; great-nieces and nephews; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Mark & Faith White, Debbie & Bob Price, and Mike & Tersa Smit; aunts and uncles, Pat Schulz, Donald, Schulz, Norm Smit, Clyde Smit, and Gladys Kreger; and further survived by many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; as well as Jim Schulz, Austin Schulz, Rosemary Schulz, Ted Smit, Marvin Kregher, Kevin Smit, Pat Smit, Wayne Smit, David & Lois Bradley, and Clif Bradley; and other relatives.

One thing we learned in the last year and a half battle with cancer is that CANCER SUCKS, but we found out how many families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors truly cared about Howard. He was special not complaining or being angry, and we were amazed by the number of lives he had touched. A very special thank you to all of those who helped over the past year, especially Sue and Al Krentz and Doug and Jody Grams, and to the staff at Hillside Manor and Hillside Hospice.

If desired, memorials in Howard's name may be directed to the Markesan Fire and Rescue.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family.