Howard Ray Almasy, 79, of Lawrenceville, Ga., died Saturday (February 9, 2008) in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Howard  was born Jan. 23, 1929 in East Peoria, Ill.,  the son of John and Clara Branz Almasy.  He married Marian Ann Tout on Sept. 4, 1955 in Galesburg, Ill.  She preceded him in death Oct. 3, 1993.

Howard attended Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ.  He was a past member of Herman Masonic Lodge #39, Quincy Consistory, Ansar Shrine Temple of Springfield, past board member of the Quincy Shrine Club, the Ansar Shrine Belgian Hitch and the Gwinnett County Chapter AARP.  He enjoyed going to riverboat casino's and was an avid collector of antique watches and clocks.  He was a member of the National Association of watch and clock collectors.    

Mr. Almasy was employed at the Gardner Denver Company for over 26 years until his retirement in 1985.

Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Happel and husband Daniel, Lawrenceville, Ga.; a son, Jeff Almasy and wife Angie, Cheyenne, Wyo.; two grandchildren, Christopher and Elise Happel of Lawrenceville, Ga.; a brother, Henry Almasy and wife Mary, Peoria, Ill.

Mr. Almasy was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers.
There was a cremation.  Memorial graveside services will be held Saturday July 5, 2008 at 1 p.m. in the  Mt. Olive Cemetery near Chillicothe, Mo. There will be no visitation but friends are invited to the graveside services.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital in care of Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home, 1435 State St. Quincy, IL 62301.