Robert "Buz" Howard, 74, Saint Marys, Ohio, died 11:38 P.M. Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at his residence.

He was born January 19, 1943, in Saint Marys, the son of Robert and Mary Ann (Losh) Howard. He married Cheryl Metzger on August 22, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Saint Marys, and she survives at the residence.

He is survived by his two daughters: Susan (Doug) Howard-Byerly of San Antonio, Texas; Abby (Zach) Dunlap of Plymouth, Michigan. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Andrew Byerly; Vivian Byerly; James Dunlap; Thomas Dunlap; Calvin Dunlap. He is survived by his sibling: Donna Wale of Saint Marys; John Howard of Troy, Ohio; Wanda Armstrong of Saint Marys.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by a brother, James "Jace" Howard; by a son, Thomas A. Howard; by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Treva Metzger.

Buz graduated from Saint Marys Memorial High School, Class of 1961. He earned a BS from Bowling Green State University, and an MS from St. Francis University.

He retired from Saint Marys City Schools, where he had taught high school English for many years. During his tenure as an educator, he coached tennis, basketball, track and scholastic bowl. He was also an accomplished author, having published five books related to the history of Saint Marys.

He was named a "Builder of Bridges" by the Saint Marys Community Foundation; he was a member of Eagles Lodge 767; and a social member of VFW Post 9289. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Saint Marys.

Funeral rites will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday, September 3, 2017, in the Performing Arts Center of Saint Marys Memorial High School. Private family burial rites will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery.

Friends may call from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services on Sunday in the Commons of Saint Marys Memorial High School.

Memorial gifts may be given to either the Thomas and Jace Howard Scholarship Fund; The Heartfelt Fund; Grand Lake Hospice; or SART.

Mr. Howard's funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Miller Funeral Home, Saint Marys. Condolences for Buz may be sent to his family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.