Mabel Irene Howard, 95, passed away at 8:44 p.m. on October 15, 2023, at Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center

Mabel  was born November 10, 1927, in Bluffton, OH, to the late Otis Christian and Rhoda Katherine (Amstutz) Burkholder. On March 18, 1972, she married Estill "Eddie" Howard who preceded her in death on April 25, 2010.

Mabel was a 1945 graduate of Bluffton High School and retired from Hunt, Morris and Johnson Law Offices, where she worked as a secretary. She loved the Lord and was a longtime member of Bluelick Bible Church. Mabel especially loved working puzzles.

She is survived by brother, Allen Clyde Burkholder of Bluffton; sister, Barbara Ann Wehrly of Tuscon, AZ; three nieces, Sondra Braun of Bluffton, Kathy (Larry) Lehman of Pandora, Lisa Kerner of CA; nephew, David (Irene)  Wehrly of AZ; and stepdaughter, Betty L. Maier.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Evan Ray  Burkholder, and Sylvan James  Burkholder; stepson, Ronald D. Howard; and son-in-law, John Maier.

Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 23, 2023, at Bluelick Bible Church, 1138 W. Bluelick Rd, Lima, Ohio 45801. Pastor Jim Neighbors will officiate the service. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 23, prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bluelick Bible Church.

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