Howard Ambrose Strahler, 92, of Marietta, while surrounded by family at his home, went peacefully with the Lord on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. Howard was born in Waterford, Ohio on May 26, 1919, the son of Leo and Alice Keller Strahler. He married Grace Elizabeth Lang on May 15, 1945 and was a loving and devoted husband for 65 years. He was a bricklayer by trade and worked at St. Mary Parish, Dominos Pizza, Tim Strahler Construction, and was self-employed. He was a Staff Sgt. in the Army during WWII, stationed in Newfoundland. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, 4th degree charter member of K of C #468, lifetime member of VFW #5108 and American Legion Post 64, Beverly Eagles #3665, and Moose Lodge #1823. He was a very quiet loving person who loved to dance, camp, play cards, woodwork, and most of all spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed being Santa Claus at many area gatherings, with his wife by his side as Mrs. Santa. He is survived by 10 children, Ron (Diana), Tim (Laurie), Kathy Lough (Pete Saliba), Jenny (Thom Coffman), Cindy Davis (Dave), Sheila Lovett (Craig), Lorinda Lang (Jeff), Tina Duff (Duane), Natalie Lowe (Randy), and Toby (Tina); 29 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bertha Pottmeyer (Richard) and Mary Grasley; one brother, Ralph Strahler (Eloise); many nieces and nephews; and his angel caregivers, Yvonne Kaiden and Mary Jane Stotts. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Grace, on December 20, 2010; his parents; six brothers Francis, Arthur, Louis, Bernard, Cecil, and Harold; and two sisters, Ruth Neader and Leona Henniger. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2011, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marietta with the Rev. Monsignor John Michael Campbell and the Rev. Virgil Reischman as con celebrants. Visitation will be at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery in Churchtown, with full military honors. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Church, 506 Fourth St.; or to St. John Church, 17784 St. Rt. 676, Marietta, Ohio 45750.
