Former Beaverdam mayor, John Milton Howard, 82, died June 28, 2021, at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. John was born July 1, 1938 in Lima to the late Ralph Milton and Ruth Elizabeth (Brenizer) Howard. On Feb. 2, 1958, he married Betty Schick Howard who survives.

John was a 1957 graduate of Shawnee High School. He retired from Roadway Express in 1995 with over 2 million miles of safe driving.  John was a member of the Auglaize Church of Christ, Wapakoneta. He was a past police officer, volunteer firefighter, assistant chief of Beaverdam-Richland EMS, former councilman and mayor of Beaverdam. 

John was also a past Boy Scout leader in Beaverdam and past 4-H advisor of the Beaverdam Boys & Girls 4-H Club.  He enjoyed antique model trains and train rides. 

Survivors include his wife, Betty Howard of Beaverdam; two sons, Robert (Deb) Howard of Waynesfield, Dennis Howard of Beaverdam; a brother, Tom (Sindy) Howard of New Palestine, Indiana; a sister, Carolyn Palmer of Largo, Florida; three nieces; one nephew and four cousins.

John was preceded in death by a niece, Lori.  

Services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, July 1, at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Bluffton. Evangelist Patrick Powers officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of the service at the funeral home.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Beaverdam-Richland EMS, St. Rita's Hospice or the Mennonite Memorial Home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.