Howard H. Fark

HOWARD H. FARK, age 90,

Of New Bremen, died on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7:05 A.M. at the Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen after a short illness. He was born in 1934 in New Bremen, the son of the late Elmer A. and Naomi M. (Rump) Fark. He married his high school sweetheart, Sally A. Abbott, in 1952, sharing 65 wonderful years together before her death on August 10, 2017. He is survived by his children: David (Sue) Fark of New Bremen, Debra (Darryl) Barhorst and Diane (Martin) Fisher all of Ada. Also left to cherish his memory are his grandchildren: Valerie (Dave Ashofteh) Fark of Lakewood, Rachel (Jake) Gehrlich of Maria Stein, Jeff (Katie) Keifer of Lima, Sarah (Zach) Nycz of Bluffton and Matt (Lacey) Fisher of Ada; and his great-grandchildren: Tony Fark, Jaelyn Gehrlich, Jack Gehrlich, Hudson Gehrlich, Parker Keifer, Nora Keifer, Caleb Nycz, Chloe Nycz, Layla Fisher and Luke Fisher. Along with his parents and wife, Howard was also preceded in death by his son, Douglas Fark in 2021, and his siblings: Ralph Fark, James Fark, and JoAnn Young. 

Howard was a 1952 graduate of New Bremen High School, and went on to continue his education at Miami Jacobs Career College in Dayton. He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen where he had served in various capacities through the years. He was an avid reader, and greatly enjoyed spending time outdoors. Together, he and Sally loved to travel and were able to travel all over the world creating memories together. They also enjoyed wintering at their home in Sanibel Island, Florida for many winters. Family was a top priority for Howard and Sally, and they loved to spend time surrounded by family and attend the various school and sporting events of all of their grandchildren. Howard retired from the Minster Machine Co. with over 40 years of total service, working many years in the financial and management areas. He always loved working with numbers, which led to his responsibly for installing Minster Machine’s first computer system ion 1964. He had formerly served on the New Bremen Local School Board, the Auglaize County School Board, served on the board of Minster Bank for 20 years, and was a past director of the National Machine Tool Builders Association. 

Private family services will be held with inurnment will take place in the German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen. Memorial contributions in memory of Howard may be made to Grand Lake Hospice (1122 E. Spring Street, St. Marys, Ohio 45885). Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen is assisting the family with arrangements, and condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.