Guy Merlyn Howman

Guy Merlyn Howman, 81, loving husband of Vicki Lynn Howman, father, doting grandfather and faithful friend of so many, went home to the Father’s House on Monday, June 24, 2019, at his residence after waging a long and courageous battle with dementia.   He was born October 13, 1937 in Mansfield, Ohio, the son of the late LeRoy and Nellie Mae (Myers) Howman.

Guy had owned and operated several businesses in Ashland and later in life developed the Cabot Cove subdivision.  He was born during the Great Depression and lost his mother when he was a young child.  Despite financial hardships and an inauspicious beginning, he became a successful businessman and embraced his successes with abounding gratitude.  Though he vacationed with his children in many exotic places, he never forgot “the stones from whence he was hewn” and always was joyful to return to the home he loved best.

No one loved forest, flowers, and streams more than Guy Howman. He embraced nature with an almost savage delight, gazing with wonder on the antics of the wildlife that found homes in his forests and going to great lengths to protect them.  Now he has gone upstream to find the Source of this beauty, to the One in whom he put his faith and trust. 

Guy was the proud patriarch of a large family which includes son Randy, daughters Rhonda (Dean) Morr and Renee (Eric) Bosko, and Todd Daquino, (Phylissa), grandchildren Brittany Morr (Nick), Brooke (Joseph Shane Kipp), Carmen, Sydney, and Brandon Bosko, Rachel Howman, and Justin Crossen, and great-grandchildren Jaxon Luedy, Lailah, Peyton, and Joseph Shane Kipp Jr., and Aubrey and Ayden Estill. He is survived by his brothers Delbert (Sue) Howman of Ashland and Roger (Becky) Howman of South Carolina; and his brothers in-law, Donavan (Ginnie) Beaver, Alan (Sylvia) Beaver and Wayne (Rita) Beaver.

He was preceded in death by his son, Rex Howman, brothers Harold, Wade, Cloyd, Dale, and Frank, sisters Evelyn Simpson, Bernice Grissinger, and Donna Sloan, one infant brother, two infant sisters, along with his mother in-law, Bessie Beaver.

When Earl Grey died, his son Lord Grey said of his father, “He lighted fires in so many cold rooms.”  Guy also was a source of warmth and those who experienced that warmth give thanks to God for it.

The Howman family expresses gratitude to Hospice of North Central Ohio who supported, blessed and comforted Guy and Vicki in their time of need with a wonderful mixture of love and professionalism.  Each team member went well beyond the call of duty and has earned the undying gratitude of the Howman family.

Services will take place at the Heyl Funeral Home on Broad Street on Thursday, June 27 at one o’clock with Guy’s brother in law, Dr. Alan Beaver, officiating.  Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805.

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