James "Howard" McInnis, of Compton, died May 27, 2025, at OSF St Paul Hospital, Mendota IL at age of 81. He was born July 31, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York to Alexander and Rose Celeste (Dardani) McInnis. Howard was raised by foster parents, Martin Mayrath and Rose Mayrath Beaird. He married Karen Hamilton on February 17, 1979, in Elmwood Park, IL.

Howard has been a member of the Compton, IL community since 1969. He was married to his loving wife Karen for forty-six years, having first met in Compton when Karen was visiting her cousin who wanted to connect "big city" individuals. He raised six wonderful children who have now moved away to live and work near large cities. Before coming to Compton he had lived in large cities across the United States including Brooklyn NY, Beverly Hills CA, and Dallas TX. While in Compton he served on the Compton village board for many years.

He was an accomplished entrepreneur who established a successful small manufacturing business, James Howard Company, in Compton, operating for fifty-two years. The business designed, manufactured, and sold art room equipment (easels, taborets, drawing horses, and model stands) to universities and high school art departments in all fifty states. The company's first product was a large classroom easel, cited for Excellence, Design of Educational Equipment, American Iron and Steel Institute, Design in Steel 1971. The James Howard Company not only provided for his family but also employed many local residents in the community during its operation. Before starting his own business, he worked at Mayrath Industries (which first brought him to Compton) and later at Motor Wheel plant in Mendota, IL.

He was an artist, with a lifelong passion for drawing and painting. Howard graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in English and an equivalent Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art. He was often seen observing his surroundings and considering how he would transition objects or landscapes into two dimensional artistic renderings that captured what he saw in the real world. His artwork has been on display at the Art Institute of Chicago during the Artists of Chicago and Vicinity Annual Exhibit in 1973. Currently the drawings and paintings adorn the walls of his home in Compton with many pieces also on display at the homes of his children which will continue to be treasured for generations to come.

Howard is survived by his wife, Karen (Hamilton) McInnis of Compton, IL; children, Rachel Frazier and Juliana McInnis, San Francisco Bay Area, CA; Andrew McInnis (Maari), Minneapolis, MN; Cynthia Staggenborg (Jacob),Woodbury, MN; Nathaniel McInnis (Richard), Chicago, IL; Patricia McInnis, Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Talula, Ella, Anika, Evie, and Maddie; and foster brothers and sisters: Ron Bishara; Christina Mayrath Hanson; Nick Mayrath; Tim Mayrath; Bill Mayrath; Anne Mayrath Manke; Ramona Mayrath Luster

Howard is preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Rose McInnis; foster parents, Martin Mayrath and Rose Mayrath Beaird; a brother, Alexander B. McInnis; and a sister, Jeannette Caldwell.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 30, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in West Brooklyn with Father Randy Fronek officiating. Visitation will be at the parish hall next to the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the Funeral Mass on Friday. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in West Brooklyn. Contributions in Howard's memory may be directed to the family for masses. Please visit www.horner-merritt.com to sign the online guest book.