Robert Wm. Howard

Robert Wm. “Bob” Howard, 76, of New Castle, died Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Integra Specialty Hospital in Muncie following a brief illness. He was born July 8, 1934 in Youngstown, Ohio, a son of the late Lucius and Irene Howard. Bob served as director of Boys Flat at the Youngstown, Ohio YMCA’s Camp Fitch for eight years where he hand built the Chapel in the Woods. He also served as Executive Director of the YMCA’s in Piqua and Lima, Ohio and in New Castle where he started the preschool program. He retired from the organization in 1999. While serving the YMCA and New Castle community he was honored with the Citizen of the Year Award. Bob graduated from High School at University School in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Culver Military Academy. He served in the U.S. Army and graduated from the University of Toledo. He was a founder of what is now Life Stream Services in Yorktown. Bob was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in New Castle where he served as elder, deacon and trustee. He was a substitute bus driver and teacher for New Castle, South Henry and Blue River Schools. He had been a member of Rotary of New Castle and the Jaycees and was active in the Ambassador’s Club. He and his wife were tireless volunteers at the White Estates pool. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally Howard; son, Jim (wife: Julia) Howard of New Castle; daughter, Debbie (husband: Jeff) Schroeder of Lawrence, Kansas and four grandchildren, Jason and Laura Howard of New Castle and Ryan and Dillon Schroeder of Lawrence, Kansas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kniel Howard Jr. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 27, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, 1202 Church St., New Castle with Pastors Rex Espiritu and Art Whitaker officiating. Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday at South Mound Cemetery West Lawn Addition. Friends may call from 4 – 8 p.m. Sunday at Sproles Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Henry County Community Foundation for the YMCA and First Presbyterian Church Youth with envelopes available at the funeral home. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. Sproles Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Robert Howard.

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Robert Wm. Howard

July 8, 1934 - June 23, 2011