Howard "Link" Lykens, of Yorktown, passed away Monday, October31, 2011 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born March 6, 1921 in Gaston to Clarence and Martha (Brock) Lykens. He was a member of Hazelwood Christian Church in Muncie. He graduated from Gaston High School in 1939, participating in Varsity baseball and basketball, and was a member of the 1938 County Championship team. After graduation, Link participated in baseball and basketball with various industrial teams and was a member of the Ball State freshman baseball and basketball teams during the 1940-41 school years.
In 1941 he entered the military service and graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943. He served as a navigator on large attack transport ships during World War II and was retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lt. Sr. grade in 1978.
After WWII, Link re-entered Ball State and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1947 and an M.A. degree in 1957. During his 35 year career as an educator, he coached athletics and taught Social Sciences at Hicksville, OH, Farmland, IN and at Center High School in Delaware County. He coached the Center Spartan basketball team to the county championship in 1952. He was inducted to the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball in 1988. After leaving coaching, he worked the next 30 years in the Muncie School System. During that time he served as a teacher, elementary principal, counselor, psychometrist, and Director of Psychological Services. He retired in 1983.
Link is survived by his wife, Marilou (Oswald)Lykens, sons, Jim Lykens, (companion Lora), Joe Lykens, (wife Hazel); daughter Jill Turner, (husband Tim). He is also survived by grandchildren, Patrick, Jillian, Samara, Craig and Kyle; six step-grand children; 11 step-great grandchildren and one step great great grandchild; brother-in-law, George Oswald, (wife Leona); sisters-in-law, Joyce Oswald and Joann Martin; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Lawrence Lykens.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Rd. 3, Muncie, IN 47303 with Rev. Colby Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of memory Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hazelwood Christian Church or Cancer Services of East Central Indiana (The Little Red Door) 401 W. Jackson St., Muncie, IN 47305.