Howard A. Eklind, age 85, a resident of Park Ridge, IL, died July 20, 2013, in Park Ridge. He was born January 1, 1928 in Chicago, IL to Henning and Ruth Eklind.

Howard graduated from Amundsen High School in Jan. 1945 and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in June 1948. He served in the Army from 1948-1951 at Rock Island Arsenal, IL and in Alaska. Following his military service in 1951, Howard joined Eklind Tool and Manufacturing Company, the company his father Henning started, where he was the long-time Chairman and President and was active until 2005. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of The Hand Tool Institute.

Howard served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Lathrop Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, who named him their Man of the Year in 1986. Howard was very dedicated to South Park Church and supported many missions and Christian organizations such as India Rural Evangelical Fellowship (IREF) in Repalle, India, and was on the board of Inner City Impact in Chicago. He has left a legacy of faith to his daughters and to the many people whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his two daughters, Karen J. Eklind-Howry (H. Michael) of Park Ridge and Janet L. Eklind Cotsiopoulos (Chris) of Schaumburg; four nephews, Don, Greg, Ken, and Chris (Brenda) Dreier; and 2 grand-nephews, Brandon and Matthew Dreier. He was predeceased in Jan. 2007 by his wife, Lois and his sister Elaine Dreier in Dec. 2012.

A visitation will be held Aug. 5, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at South Park Church, 1330 South Courtland, Park Ridge, IL 60068, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held Aug. 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at South Park Church. A private interment will take place at Ridgewood Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to IREF, PO Box 1332, Park Ridge, IL 60068-7332, Inner City Impact, 2704 W. North Ave Chicago, IL 60647, or to South Park Church.