Howard I. Roberts, 62, of Cedarville Road, Ilion, died Friday, July 8, 2005, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, N.Y. He was born April 23, 1943, in Steuben, N.Y., the son of Joseph and Anna (Gardner) Roberts and attended Boonville schools. Howard was a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, serving in the U.S. Army. On Dec. 28, 1979, he was married to Linda Naber in Clintwood, Va. Howard was the owner and operator of Roberts Home Improvement Co. in Chadwicks for 10 years. He also was employed in the electrical and plumbing department at Jay-K Lumber Co. of New Hartford. Howard was a member of the Clinton Road Baptist Church and was a life member of the American Legion Post in Chadwicks. At one time he attended the Cedarville Undenominational Church. He was an active member of the Cedarville Fire Department. Howard was always ready to help a friend or a stranger. Survivors include his wife, Linda; his mother-in-law, Grace Palmer of Richfield Springs; his daughter, Tina Drass and her husband George of Mount Union, Pa.; his sons, Kevin Roberts and wife Melissa of Constable, N.Y., Christopher Roberts and wife Nikki of Utica, Dennis Roberts and wife Jamie and James Roberts of Rome; nine grandchildren, April, Kris, Shane, Justin, Angela, Heather, Michael, Jimmy and Amber; his godson, Joseph Niemiec; three sisters, Edna Ingersoll and husband Tom of Cape Vincent, Susan Niemiec and husband John of Boonville and Bonnie Roberts of Utica; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; his son, Edward; his brothers, William, Joseph and Sam and his sister, Elizabeth. Friends and relatives are invited to attend his memorial service at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, at the Clinton Road Baptist Church, 140 Clinton Road, New Hartford, with the Rev. Tim Bejian officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Howard's family requested that Don Applegate at Applegate and Day Funeral Home, 102 West St., Ilion, take charge of all arrangements.