Howard J. "Junior" Custer, age 85, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, July 31, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home . Calling hours will begin 12:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6th at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Interment with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for Iowa City Hospice or the Palliative Care Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Online condolences may be sent for Junior's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Howard was born October 22, 1929, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Howard Browning and Edna Mae (Eisele) Custer. Junior graduated from Washington High School in 1947.

Junior served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 until 1959. He worked as a mechanic at the Chevrolet Garage in Washington for many years and following his retirement he worked for Frank Bruty Construction. Junior was an avid gardener and enjoyed mushrooming, fishing and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his life partner of 40 years, Ireta Janecek; step children: Beverly Robertson and husband Don; and Wayne Janecek and wife Judy; step grandchildren: Dawn Peterson and husband Tim; Debbie Bruty and husband Greg; Kevin Janecek and wife Angie; Craig Janecek; Kelly Whittmeyer and husband Dan; step great grandchildren: Tommy Peterson, Megan Bruty, Dalton Bruty, Madelyn Janecek, Hayden Janecek, Sophie Whittmeyer and Alex Whittmeyer; and step great great grandson, Kagan Bruty.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Merle Custer and sister, Mary Custer.