Autie Howard, Jr., age 89 of London, Madison County, Ohio, died on July 13, 2026.

Autie was born at home in Middletown, Butler County, Ohio, on October 27, 1936 to Autie Francis and Fannie May (Eldridge) Howard. He was the eleventh of twelve children. His siblings are Clifford (Mary Jane) Howard, William (Virginia) Howard, Mildred Bottles, Marie (Sam) Cobb, Prudie Morris, Opal (Larry) Zwick, Pearl Neal, Lillian (Joe) Constiner, Thelma (Kenneth) Hess, Janet (Jim) Combs, and Curtis (Brenda) Howard.

Autie is survived by his family: Richard Howard, Karen (Bill) Hoile, Tammy (Jon) Kleiber, Robert (Dawne) Howard; grandchildren: Katie, Tyler (Gabby), Kristin, Erin (Chris); Clay; Devin, Sidney, and Kaiden; great grandchildren: Khloe, Jordan; and Addylin; wife Esther; brother Curtis Howard; and dear friends Johnny and Jenny Davison.

Autie met Darylene Anne Bryant at the Butler County Fair where they both were involved in 4-H. They married on February 23, 1957 at the Millville United Methodist Church, Millville, Butler County, Ohio. Autie and Darylene enjoyed the life they created farming, raising their children, and especially enjoyed their grandchildren. Darylene died on December 29, 2009 from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Autie married Esther Wheeler Fyffe on October 8, 2011.

Autie knew from a young age that he wanted to be a farmer. He started plowing gardens at the age of 14 with a Ferguson tractor and a two-bottom plow. By the time he was 16 years old, he was milking 6 dairy cows while attending school at Lemon-Monroe School in Butler County. He and Darylene rented farm ground in Butler County where they started their farming operation, and then moved to Fayette County, and later moved to Madison County. In March, 1961, they purchased their home farm in Madison County, Fairfield Township, where they raised their family.

Autie’s dedication to the land and love of farming was his passion. Autie was a serious man, loved all aspects of farming, and enjoyed homemade meals. Autie was active in farming for 75 years and was proud of his accomplishment in creating Howard Farms with his late wife Darylene, and working with his sons in the farming operation. It was important to Autie to be a good steward of the land. He was a former member of Operation Futures, Farm Service Agency, National Farmers Organization, Farm Bureau, and the recipent of the 2012 Joe Yoder Award from the London Rotary Club during National Farmers Week.

The family will hold a private service that will be held at the Eberle Fisher Funeral Home, London, with interment at the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Big Plain.

In lieu of flowers, please consider an on-line donation in memory of Autie Howard, Jr., to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alz.org.

Online condolences for the family are encouraged to be shared at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.