Howard Alfred Buhl

Howard Alfred Buhl, 94, passed away on January 15th, 2019 after a brief illness. Born in Chicago, Illinois on February 11th, 1924, to Alfred Jensen Buhl and Dorothy Harriet (Wright) Buhl, he spent much of his childhood in Manteno. During World War II, he served as a Motor Machinist’s Mate 2nd class on LST 494 (Landing Ship, Tank), which saw action in the Normandy Invasion at Omaha Beach, the Southern France Campaign, and the Okinawa Campaign. After the war, Howard attended the University of Miami, earning a Bachelor’s in accounting; he then began a 37-year career at the Internal Revenue Service while living in Lakeland, Florida, where he married Elaine Vaughn and raised a family. Sometime after Elaine’s passing in 1985, he ran into a friend from high school, Helen LaMore of Manteno, at their 50th HS reunion; both widowed, she became his companion for over 30 years, and a blessing to the family. In his later years, Howard & Helen assisted with the restoration of LST 325, now a memorial ship in Evanston, Indiana. He was also involved in the USS LST 494 Association, who, two years ago, recognized as the sole surviving member of the original crew of the 494; he has now joined his shipmates. Howard loved a good joke, war stories, cats, a glass of wine, and working on engines—gas or diesel. Howard is survived by Helen, his son Fred (Paige) of Gainesville, daughter Harriett of Auburndale, brother-in law John Vaughn (Patsy) of Naples, grandchildren William & Lyndal Brown (Gainesville), niece Lisa Smith (Tim) of Vero Beach, niece Melody Betlem (Billy) of Tampa, nephew Robert Rowe of Miami, and grandnephew/nieces Conrad Childers of Tampa, Rachel Smith of West Palm Beach, and Katrina & Brian Smith of Vero Beach. The viewing & reception will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 S Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida on Monday, January 21st, from 5 to 7pm. The memorial service, also at Heath, will be at 11am on Tuesday the 22nd.