Category: Howe News Bulletin

Kenneth Lyndbergh Stuteville, whom everyone knew simply as Bergie, went home to his Lord and Savior in the early hours of March 15th, 2021 at the age of 88. Bergie was born on July 30th, 1932 and raised in Whitewright, Texas to Charles Holmes and Fannie Mae (Hall) Stuteville and eventually moved to Van Alstyne at an early age to open a Dry Goods Grocery Store with his family and remained a proud citizen of Van Alstyne and a VA Panther for the remainder of his life. He was an avid football, basketball and baseball fan but not only did he love sports, his true passion was the Boy Scouts of America and at the time of his passing he was the oldest living Eagle Scout in the Nation originally obtaining his Eagle Scout in 1948 at the age of 16 while being a member of Troop 44 in Van Alstyne, the nation’s 5th Scout Troop to be created. Following Graduation from Van Alstyne High School in 1949 and Graduation from North Texas State College (now known as The University of North Texas) in 1953 with a General Business Degree, Bergie then Joined the Army serving his country at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, AL and played halfback for the Redstone Rockets Football Team during his tenure in the Military. Bergie then worked for Magnolia Petroleum (now Mobil) until he began his service of 29 years as the Financial Manager for the City of Sherman and in his time there created award winning budgets and financial planning for the city that are still used to this day. Bergie would eventually help start Troop 45 in Howe and remain one of its key members until his passing. Bergie was the embodiment of the Boy Scouts law by living his life Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent at all times to anyone and everyone. After his retirement Bergie worked for Grayson County as the custodian of Loy Lake Park and as a volunteer for the National Parks Service at Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado during the summers planting plants and cleaning trail systems. Bergie lived a large life and everyone around him was considered a true friend. You always knew Bergie by his simple greeting of a very loud “HEYYYY!” that would preface any greeting that brought smiles to those who knew him. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Howe, Texas and volunteered as the Financial Officer and with the Feed My Sheep Food Pantry with the church bringing his life full circle with the grocery business. Bergie also enjoyed raising cattle on his farm and living a simple life of selfless service to God.

Bergie is survived by his wife Nancy Stuteville of Gunter. Son, Kevin Stuteville of San Jose, California. Son and Daughter in law, Steve and Kathy Stuteville of Arlington, Texas. The Mother of his Son’s Barbara Dorene Stiles, of Garland, Texas. Son and Daughter in law, Edward and Cynthia Ward of Pottsboro, Texas. Daughter and Son in law, Jeanine and Paul Wolf of Oglesby, Texas. Many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews. He is also survived by his brother BJ and sisters Charlene, Patty Ann and their respective Spouses and Family Members. Bergie was preceded in death by his Parents. His Sister Laura Mae Brown. His Grandson Roston Ward, whom he would call his best of friends. The Family would like to ask that in lieu of flowers that Donations be made to the Autism Society of America by calling 800-328-8476 option 3 to support finding a cure for people, like his beloved Grandson Roston, that live with Autism and the challenges that they face every day.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church of Howe, located at 810 N Denny St, Howe, TX 75459. Burial will be held at a later date. You may sign the online register book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.

On May 11, 1986, the Howe Lions Club sponsored a PRCA Rodeo on the grounds of what is now the Howe Youth Softball Fields. The rodeo was the final event of the first-ever Founders Day Festival which was in conjunction with the Texas Sesquicentennial.

Professional Wrestling came to Howe, Texas at Bulldog Stadium in July 1984 thanks to the Howe Public Library.

The first Howe Founders Day Festival was held on May 10, 1986 in conjunction with the Texas Sesquicentennial Celebration. The festival was complete with a parade, music by Kirby, Freddy Holcomb, tobacco spitting contest.

The Howe Bulldogs opened the week with the first home game which resulted in a confidence building pitching duel with Whitesboro.  Howe senior third baseman Dylan Hughs hit a 2-run walk-off game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Howe their first win of the season. 

Sophomore Austin Haley got the start on the mound and was about as dominating as one could get by going four solid innings, allowing two hits, no earned runs and no walks while striking out six hitters.  The Bearcats’ lone run came in the top of the third inning when a ball kicked off the glove of the Howe second baseman.  But a grounder to Hughs ended the inning to end the threat. 

Senior Brett Burnett relieved Haley in the top of the fifth inning and immediately gave up a double. However, he settled in and got a strikeout, a fly out, and a line out to end the fifth.  Things got hairy for Howe in the top of the sixth another error and a walk put two runners on with no outs.  The game turned from possible disaster when Burnett went from a 3-0 count to come back and get Whitesboro’s Griffith to strikeout looking.  A batter later, Nageatand singled past Haley at shortstop to load the bases.  This caused Howe Head Coach Ryan Moreau to go to Parker Pecina in relief who pounded the strike zone with heavy fastballs and struck out the remaining two hitters to get Howe out of the bases loaded jam.

In the top of the seventh inning, Pecina gave up a single and a walk with one out before seeing a double ripped to center.  But a laser beam throw to the plate cut down the runner at the plate for the second out. A ground out to Hughs a batter later ended the inning as Howe trailed 1-0 heading to the final frame.

At the plate, Howe struggled all night.  The Dogs had a chance to score early in the game, but pinch runner Jordan Jones was picked off at third base in the second inning.  Howe had a threat in the sixth inning by opening with a single by Pecina and a walk by Hughs, but a fly out and two strikeouts left the runners stranded. 

Whitesboro changed pitchers for the bottom of the seventh and the wildness of Smith was capitalized on by Howe.  After a pop out by Kaleb McNutt in the bottom of the seventh inning, the rally began with a walk, as most do.  Caleb Searcey’s walk was followed by back-to-back hit by pitches on Ethan and Luke Lopez, respectively.  With one out and the bases loaded, Pecina thought he had drawn a walk and started towards first base.  Searcey at third followed suit and began to trot towards home to tie the game, however, a late strike call by the home plate umpire caught Searcey in a run down between third and home which eventually led to him being tagged out 20 feet from the plate.  Pecina, a pitch later, eventually walked to again load the bases for Hughs.  On a 3-2 count with runners on the move, Hughs smashed a hard grounder through short and third which scored both Lopez brothers for the 2-1 win.  Hughs was “dog piled” at first base as Howe captured the dramatic come-from-behind win for their first entrance into the win column on the young season. 

“This feels good.  We’ve been close a couple of times so this definitely feels good,” said Howe skipper Moreau who said he feels like his Bulldogs are poised to get on a roll.