Howard L. Halberg

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Howard Leslie Halberg, 68, passed away on March 28, 2018, at OSU Hospital in Columbus.

Howie was born on March 4, 1950, to Ruth and Clarence Halberg, formerly of Wakefield.

Howie is survived by his wife, Joanne (Lenatz); son, Alan (Katie, Evan, Henry, Logan), son, Steven, son, Kevin, daughter, Roni (Marty Meyer and Luci) and mother-in-law, Pauline Lenatz, as well as his siblings, Diane, Sandy, Jim, Dan, Roger, Julie, Linda and Randy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Sue (Tony Paterno) and Karen (Darwin Daane), and brother-in-law, Keith, and nephew, Tim.

Howie was a Wakefielder through and through, playing multiple sports and leading his 1968 Cardinal basketball team to a miracle comeback in the sectional finals and causing announcer Harry Rizzie to declare him, "The Man of the Hour in U.P. Sports."

Howie was a master mechanic and operator, starting with the family business, Halberg Brothers Construction, followed by work in the White Pine Mine, owning his own gas station, and then as a head mechanic in the Ohio Mines.

In his retirement, he enjoyed fishing, woodworking, nature and especially his grandchildren, who were the gleam in his eye.

Howie was our big brother, our friend, and role model. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.