Richard L. Fowler

Richard L. Fowler, 88, of Killbuck, Ohio died Friday, August 9, 2019 at Sycamore Nursing Home following a period of declining health.  That decline, fortunately, followed a long, productive and laughter filled life.  

He leaves his wife of 65 years, Betty (Bell) Fowler who saw him hit a double at a Nashville vs. Killbuck high school baseball game and announced to her best friend that she intended to marry him.  It was a good call as the seventy years they spent together were filled with love.

He also leaves two daughters, Becky (Rod) Starr and Buffy (Jim) Mirich, who admired and adored him.    Their husbands found in Dick both a mentor and a friend who loved and encouraged them as his own.  They were the sons he never had.  His grandchildren, Alex Starr and Olivia, Brett and Ryan Mirich knew him as their most faithful supporter.  

Born and raised in Killbuck, the son of Earl and Leona (Nyhart) Fowler, Dick spent his early years working in the family grocery.  He served his country during the Korean War and came home to open a barber shop in Killbuck.  He soon partnered up with Jim Schafer to begin a forty year business partnership and lifetime friendship filled with success, laughter and mutual thriftiness.  Their decision to quit barbering and form Unibilt Homes of Millersburg in the late 1970’s provided both success in business and many friendships with those they met along the way.

He had served on the Killbuck Savings Bank Board of Directors, Killbuck Cemetery Board, Holmes County Airport Board, and as a trustee and usher for the Killbuck United Methodist Church.

Although demetia had slowly and steadily claimed the man we used to know, Dick will be remembered for his quick smile, friendliness, orneriness and wit.  His favorite hobby was hard work. He loved sports of any kind, his breakfast and lunch crews over the years, Farmall Cub tractors and Red Man Chewing Tobacco.  

His family would like to issue a special thank you to our community for the kindness and patience shown to him as he declined.  Your love for him was evident.  Our family will also be forever grateful to the staff at Sycamore Run and Hospice who provided quality of care with compassion and empathy to both Dick and our entire family.   

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, August 12th at Killbuck United Methodist Church with Kenneth Smailes officaiting. Burial will be at the Killbuck Cemetery, Killbuck, Ohio. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Alexander Funeral Home, Millersburg, Ohio. Those wishing to share a memory or make online condolences may do so by visiting www.alexanderfhinc.com.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Killbuck Community Park (New Field Project), 138 S. Main St., Killbuck, OH  44637 or to LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.