Stephen Lee Howell died on March 28, 2026 at his home in Weston at the age of 42 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on July 9, 1983 in Hermiston to Jimmy Howell and Sheila Hamman Michael. He graduated from Hermiston High School in 2002.
Stephen was a witty and caring man who fiercely loved his family. He had a unique ability to bring people together and make them feel seen and loved. He wasn’t afraid to tell his story to people he barely knew because he wanted others to find the same freedom he had in Christ. Worship and service were a large part of his life. He served his church and family, played guitar, and counseled many individuals through Narrow Way Ministries.
While volunteering at Campus Life in Hermiston, he met Jubilee Britt in 2003. It was love at first sight and he told many friends that night that he met the woman he was going to marry. He was true to his word, and they eventually married on July 7, 2007. Two years later their first daughter, Madalyn Grace Howell, was born on Dec. 18, 2009, and their second daughter, Elyse Marie Howell, came on Sept. 27, 2012, which completed their family.
Stephen was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved spending time outdoors camping with friends and family in Eastern Oregon. He was also a youth pastor at Oasis Vineyard Church in Hermiston for several years and led multiple mission trips to Mexico with kids.
Stephen was an insurance agent with the Simmons Agency in Hermiston for 14 years. He was mentored in business and enjoyed the camaraderie with that team. There were many choices he made while in Hermiston that resulted in pain for others and he regretted the circumstances that resulted in his leaving Simmons. However, the Lord used these events to shift him down a new path in Pendleton in 2018.
He continued working full time in insurance at Oregon Insurance Center in Pendleton until he founded Narrow Way Ministries in 2024. Starting this ministry after counseling men locally was the fruit that came from his time at Pure Life Ministries in Kentucky from January to September 2019. During his time there, he learned to live in transparency and freedom in the Lord which ultimately restored him to his family. He discovered a fully surrendered life in Jesus and started to help other men do the same.
Stephen discovered he had colorectal cancer in April 2025. He was determined to pray and fight as the Lord guided him. The Lord gave him strength to minister to others throughout his treatment. In the midst of this hard time, he focused on finishing his life well and sharing his faith with everyone who would listen.
He is survived by his wife, Jubilee Britt Howell; his daughters, Madalyn Grace Howell and Elyse Marie Howell; his parents, Jimmy Howell and Sheila Hamman Michael; his brothers, Travis Hamman, Chris Howell, and Joshua Weivoda; along with many other family members who will greatly miss him.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. at the Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion, Pendleton.
A reception will follow at Pendleton Church of God, 712 S.W. 27th St.
Please share memories of Stephen with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
