It is with great sadness that the children of Howard F. Margot announce the passing of our dear father on January 10, 2013 at the Holland Hospital. Born on December 5, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Merle and Lillian (McCormick) Margot. He grew up in Cardington, Ohio and moved to Ganges, Michigan in 1939, where he spent the rest of his life farming, and was the owner of Margot Nurseries. Howard served on the Ganges Township Board for 37 years and was the Township Supervisor. One of his accomplishments was making sure that a fire station was built and fire equipment purchased for the protection of the people of Ganges Township. In 1939 he married his wife, Thelma, the beginning of a 74 year partnership based on love and focused on family. He was a member of the Ganges United Methodist Church, serving as the head of the Board of Trustees, working with the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF), and participating in various church activities. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Merle Margot; and sister, Grace Spies. Surviving is his wife Thelma, children; Janet (Jay) Venema of Grand Rapids, Karen (Glenn) Phelps of Fennville, and Patricia (Jerry) Poole of Battle Creek; his grandchildren, Norman (LaVonne) Venema, Jon (Kim) Venema, Nancy Venema, William (Amy) Phelps, Scott (Robin) Phelps, Brian (Jodie) Phelps, and Coleen Sootsman, eighteen great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2013, at the Chappell Funeral Home, 637 W. Main St. Fennville, MI, with Rev. Jack Balgenorth and Ms. Marcia Tucker officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 13, 2013 from 2-5 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Plummerville Cemetery, Ganges Township, Allegan County, MI. Memorial donations may be made to the Ganges United Methodist Church P.O. Box 511 Fennville, MI 49408. An online registry book is available at www.chappellfuneralhome.com