Howard Franklin Hager, 74, of Wellington, Missouri, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Centerpoint Medical Center, Independence, MO. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 23rd at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO; burial with Military Honors in Valley Memorial Gardens, Grain Valley. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22nd at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Freedom Alliance, 22570 Markey Court, Suite 240, Dulles, Virginia 20166.

Howard was born on August 16, 1933, in Leeton, Missouri, the son of Price F. and Lola (Ash) Hager. He was baptized in Clinton, MO, at an early age. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Howard married Mildred M. Bigler on January 2, 1954. He retired from the Kansas City Police Dept. after becoming disabled 13 years into his career. He also worked as a security officer for Unity Village for over 10 years. Howard was also a dairy farmer and an avid hunter.

Howard was preceded in death by one son, Ronnie Hager, in 1958, and two sisters.

His survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mildred M. Hager of the home; four sons: Al Hager & his wife, Cherice of Wellington, Rick Hager & his wife, Linda of Freeman, MO, Donnie Hager & his wife, Lisa of Butler, MO, and Warren Hager & his wife, Kelley of Blue Springs, MO; one daughter: Chris Walker & her husband, Floyd of Bates City, MO; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother; five sisters; and several nieces & nephews.