Donald Dale "D.D." Howard, age 82, passed away on January 7, 2019 at the Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, Kansas. He was born on May 9, 1936 in Ness City, Kansas the son of John and Agnes (Burling) Howard.

He graduated from the Utica High School in 1955 and was a farmer and rancher and a US Navy Veteran. He belonged to the United Methodist Church, Lions Club, McKinstry-Jones Post 380 American Legion all of Utica, he was a Past Master of the Masons, he was a member of the Eastern Star and the Scottish Rite Consistory.

On October 25th, 1968 he married Ruth Bitter Ochs, in Jennings, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include one son, three step-sons, a step-daughter, 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren: Hardy and Dawn Howard of WaKeeney and their children, Larissa, Aleah, and Jenna; John and Julie Ochs of Seminole, Alabama and their children, Tara, Jason, and Laura; Tom and Kris Ochs of Utica and their children Tanya, Kasa, Kami, and Tori; Leonard and Cindy Ochs of Utica and their children, Sarah, Amos, and Jared; Marlene and Karl Hord of Nixa, Missouri and their children, Ashley, Brandi, and Westin.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill, Kenneth and Russell Howard and his parents.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 12, 2019, 10:30 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, Utica with Pastor Bud Tuxhorn presiding. Friends may call on Friday, January 11 from 9:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with the family receiving friends from 6-8 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. Burial will be in the Utica Cemetery with Military graveside rites by the McKinstry-Jones American Legion and Sons of the American Legion, Utica, assisted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

Memorials may be given to the Utica United Methodist Church, the Utica American Legion, or the Ness County Honor Flight.

Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book.