Naomi B. Howe, 87, of 305 South East Street, New Knoxville, Ohio, died 6:30 A.M. Monday, March 10, 2008, at Joint Township Hospital in Saint Marys.

She was born April 18, 1920, in New Knoxville, the daughter of August and Bertha (Duhme) Prueter.

She married Donald Howe on March 23, 1940; he preceded her in death on October 5, 1999.

She is survived by four sons: Thomas (Sally) Howe of Troy, Ohio; Dennis (Marilyn) Howe of Dayton; Ned Howe of New Knoxville and Ted Howe of New Knoxville; by one daughter, Joyce Howe of New Knoxville; by 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Nancy (Wayne) Bambauer of New Knoxville; Irma (Ralph) Hoelscher of New Knoxvillle; by two brothers: Elwood (Jean) Prueter of New Knoxville and Don Prueter of New Knoxville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons: Danny and Larry Howe; by a grandson, Ryan Dennis Howe; a great-granddaughter, Destiny Van Dam; by three brothers: Earl, Paul and Jim Prueter; by one sister, Ruby May.

Naomi was a 1939 graduate of New Knoxville High School, the first class to graduate from the high school there. She retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Saint Marys.

She was a member of the First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville and attended the V.E. Katterheinrich Sunday School Class for many years. Along with her late husband she was named Ranger Fan of the Year in 1980 and 1991. She loved athletics and had enjoyed swimming and basketball earlier in her life. She enjoyed being with friends and family.

Funeral rites will be held 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the First United Church of Christ, New Knoxville, Ohio, the Very Reverend Dr. David Williams, officiant. Burial will follow at German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

Friends may call from 4-8 P.M. Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in the Heritage Room of the First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville, where memorial donations may be directed to the church. Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, 200 West Spring Street, New Knoxville.