Ronald N. Howe — a founder member of the Manteca Historical Society and part of a California pioneer family from the 1850s — has passed away at age 90.

Howe was a prolific volunteer in various Manteca organizations as well as assisting individuals in need of help. That led to his induction in 2006 as an at-large member into the Manteca Hall of Fame.

Arguably his most high profile efforts were through the historical society and the Manteca Museum.

Howe served seven terms as the historical society’s president. He was also the treasurer at one point..

He was a founder and dependable member of that organization’s Tuesday Crew. The group was tasked with everything from designing displays and performing needed maintenance to housecleaning concerns for the museum at the corner of Yosemite and Sequoia avenues just west of downtown.

Howe chaired two major annual fundraisers for the museum.  He also volunteered as a docent.

Howe grew up in the Salinas area.

The 1951 Salinas High graduate served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was honorably discharged and was awarded the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals.

He came to Manteca through his employment with Best fertilizer in Lathrop.

That firm was later bought by  Occidental Chemical Co. and then J.R. Simplot. He spent 27 years working for those companies before retiring in 1997.

Howe’s ties to Manteca preceded both his birth and decision to move here.

He was a descendent of the Overshiner pioneer family that  had members that moved to the Manteca area shortly after it was established by the original pioneers.

 J.J. Overshiner built the commercial building— a general store — in Manteca in 1901.

Overshiner also sold land to Walter Woodward and E.E. Douglas — an area bounded today by Yosemite Avenue on the south North Walnut Avenue on the west and the railroad on the east — that became the city’s first subdivision. The two partners sold 50 by 130 foot lots for homes at $300 apiece.

The Overshiner Addition also included the purchase of property for the original Yosemite School (the campus that now houses Manteca Unified School District’s online academy) in 1913.

Howe assisted with organization the Manteca Chamber of Commerce’s Ag Tour for 27 years, voluntarily opted to provide transportation to residents to make sure they kept medical appointments, was a Manteca Mural Society member, and participated in float building in the annual community’s Christmas and Fourth of July parades.

Howe was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy. He is survived by step-son Douglass Raney of Elk Grove,

Funeral services are scheduled for today at 10 a.m. at Park View Cemetery, 3661 East in French Camp Road, west of highway 99.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com