Howard H. Torrence, age 94, formerly from Archbold, Ohio, passed away on April 1, 2018 in Toledo, Ohio. Born in Toledo, Ohio on November 22, 1923, Howard graduated from Pemberville High School in 1942 before enlisting in the Army Signal Corp. of the U.S. Army.
Howard married Janice Guthrie on December 27, 1942 before being deployed to Europe, where he spent time in England, France, Germany and Austria as an attachment of the 8th Air Force. He enjoyed a career as a businessman, as owner of Howard’s Electronic Supply in Toledo from 1948 to 1968 and the Best Western Hotel in Wauseon from 1969 to 1986.
Howard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Until his death, he was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Wauseon, as well as an active member of the Wauseon Rotary Club. He took pleasure in becoming a pilot and taking his family on short trips in his Beechcraft Musketeer. The life-long traveler also stayed active throughout recent years walking, biking and helping others in the community.
Howard is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Janice, parents henry and Cecil Torrence and brother, Glen Torrence. He is survived by sons Terry (Kim) Torrence of Boise, Idaho, and Tim (Janice) Torrence of Warsaw, Indiana; daughters Trudy (Roger) Noblit of N. Ridgeville, Ohio and Tracy (Alan) Cox of Toledo; grandchildren Corry (Tom) Ritzert, Jason (Anna) Torrence, Jennifer (Scott) Carner, Jennifer (Garth) Bishop, and Morgan Cox; great-grandchildren Dominick Brafford, Evelyn, Lucy and Kathryn Ritzert, Allison Carner, Calvin Bishop and Helen Torrence. Howard also leaves behind his special friend, Jean Geesey, who was a blessing to Howard and his family for over 10 years.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the Christ United Methodist Church in Wauseon with Pastor Michael Berne officiating. Interment will follow in the Wauseon Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Christ United Methodist Church, Sunshine Foundation, or Fairlawn Haven. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.grisierfh.com. The Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon is entrusted with arrangements.