Nancy M. Howard

Nancy M. Howard (Brininstool), also known as Grandma Bud, age 64, of Battle Creek, passed away on August 12, 2026. Nancy was born April 7, 1962, the daughter of Vaughn and Velma (Powell) Brininstool. Nancy was a lifetime resident of Battle Creek, where in her younger years was an avid softball player, bowler, pool player, and morel mushroom hunter. On March 31, 1994, she united Thomas A. Howard in marriage. If Nancy was not watching the news, she was watching a sporting event; watching pro tennis, U of M college football, the Tigers, and the Lions were her main sources of entertainment. Nancy survived Stage 3 lung and esophageal cancer in 2021, which was no surprise to anyone who knew her. Nancy’s fight and competitive spirit was always on display until her last breath. Her grandkids were her pride and joy, and spent the later years of her life being the best grandma she could be and soaking in all the time she could spend with them

Surviving are her brothers Larry A. Powell, James W. Brininstool; sisters Laura L. Mackinder, Carol A. Brininstool, Linda K. Ryan, and main caretaker Janet M. Brininstool; children Ellen (Tom) Schaeffer, Emily, and William; grandchildren Hailee and Hunter Schaeffer, Laelah and King Caldwell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifetime best friends Mike and Cathy Bibbings.

She was preceded in death by parents Vaughn and Velma; brothers Steven W. and William V. Brininstool; sisters Ruth A. Davis, Mary J. Krueger; and husband Thomas.

Visitation will be held at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. A graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 11:00a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.