The Rev. Howard William Washburn, 89, St. Marys, died Feb. 21, 2012, at Lima Memorial Health System.

He was born Oct. 27, 1922, in Hackensack, N.J., to Russell Leroy Sr. and Adlagunda Bellm Washburn. He was raised by his grandparents, John and Christina Bellm. He married Barbara Shaw, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, John (Denni) Washburn, and Jim (Chris) Washburn; four stepchildren, Brian (Leanne) Jewett, Andy (Suzie) Jewett, Karen Jewett, and Glen (Wanda) Jewett; a daughter-in-law, Sherrie Vissotski; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Mark Washburn; siblings, Russell LeRoy Washburn Jr. and Beatrice Washburn Miller.

He was a graduate of Hackensack High School. He attended college at Drew University, New Jersey, and Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He studied at Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University and completed his divinity degree at Drew University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He was ordained as an elder in the Methodist Church.

He served as an administrator of Methodist Homes in Texas, New Jersey and California and served on the National Board of the Methodist Church in charge of homes for the aged.

He was a founder of Leading Age, the national organization of not-for-profit services to the aging. He received a service award in 2001 from Leading Age and was an honoree at the organization's 50th annual meeting.

For the past 26 years, he served as an administrative and special advisor to the president/CEO of Otterbein Homes in Ohio. He received an award through Otterbein in 2001 for outstanding service to the elderly. He received the Olen Oeschger Memorial Award in 2004 from the United Methodist Association.

He served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday in the Myer Community Room at Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Community, St. Marys, the Revs. George Campbell and William McOmber officiating. Burial of cremated remains will be in Otterbein Cemetery, Lebanon.

Calling is one hour prior to services in the Myer room.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Otterbein St. Marys Lifestyle Community's Benevolent Fund.

Arrangements are by Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville.