Ashley Stephen How, 74, of Cahokia, Ill., died Aug. 14, 2025. Mr. How was a retired professor of aeronautics at St. Louis University/Parks College. He was in the U.S. Navy as a petty officer first class, serving in Vietnam from 1970 to 1980. He was stationed at Da Nang while aboard the USS Constellation, making cruises aboard USS John F. Kennedy and USS Saratoga. He also served in RVAH-11 in Albany, Ga., and VT-23 in Kingsville, Texas. Born Oct. 22, 1950, in Chicago, Ill., he was the son of the late Grace (Clow) and Stephan Ewing How.
He is survived by two children: Zachary (Jennifer) How of Imperial and Amanda (Matthew) Bacon of Albuquerque, N.M.; four grandchildren: Aiden, Sophia and Avery Bacon of Albuquerque, N.M., and Zoey How of Imperial; a sibling: William E. How, USN (Ret.) of Ypsilanti, Mich.; two sisters-in-law: Donna How Smith of Crystal City and Ruthi Reinert of Hillsboro; four nieces: Jessica How and Brittany How of Festus, Elizabeth (Keenon) Ali of Ypsilanti, Mich., and Evlyn How of Rock Hill, S.C.; and a nephew: Stephen Brandon (Jennifer) How of Oakville.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Stephen Parker How and Adam Seaton How; a nephew: Edward Stephen How; and a niece: Emily Grace How.
A memorial service with full military honors is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Leesman Funeral Home in Illinois.