Howard Dean “Uncle Howard” Staebler, 94, of Lake Forest, California, went home to be with the Lord on June 5, 2026, at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center.

He was born on January 13, 1932, in Mason City, Iowa, to Jesse Carlton Staebler and Leona (Wendt) Staebler. When he was five, the family moved to Adams, Minnesota, where he grew up working on his parents’ dairy farm and later graduated from Adams High School in 1950.

In February 1952, Howard enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving until his honorable discharge as an Airman First Class in February 1956. During his service he was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Roswell, New Mexico, where he worked loading bombs onto aircraft in support of the Korean War effort.

After the military, Howard built a steady working life, holding positions in insurance sales, pest control, and warehouse operations. He eventually retired in 2016 from Brasstech, Inc. in Santa Ana, California.

Howard married the love of his life, Carole Staebler, at Calvary Chapel East Anaheim, and together they made their home in Southern California. They had no children, but their beloved poodles were truly their “kids,” and they shared a love of horses that included horseback riding and barrel racing in Riverside County.

Faith was an important part of Howard’s life. He regularly attended Calvary Chapel East Anaheim for many years and later was part of Stonecreek Christian Church in Rancho Santa Margarita, where many knew him simply as “Uncle Howard.”

Howard enjoyed photography, camping, and time outdoors. He was health conscious, loved a good meal (especially chocolate), and treasured the opportunity to visit the Holy Land in Jerusalem with Carole. Though he was a quiet and shy man by nature, he was easygoing, frequently smiling, and often responded to surprising news with his familiar phrase, “no kidding?”

Family was deeply important to him. Howard and Carole faithfully attended family gatherings around the holidays, and he was careful to remember his sister Jean’s birthday every year.

Howard was preceded in death by his younger brother, Darrel Lee Staebler in 1966, and by his wife, Carole in 2010. He is survived by his younger brother, Harold Duane Staebler of Rochester, Minnesota, and his younger sister, Jean Ellen (Staebler) Reese of Redmond, Oregon, along with nieces, nephews, and extended family who will miss “Uncle Howard” dearly.

A graveside funeral service will be held on June 23, 2026, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, at 12:30 PM, where Howard will be honored as a Korean War veteran with full military honors. O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills, California, is assisting the family with arrangements.