Howard R. LeCompte, 61, of Celina, died at 7:10 p.m. Feb. 4, 2009, at home. Death was due to natural causes.

He was born Nov. 14, 1947, in Dayton, to Jacque H. and Lucille Myrtle Dryden LeCompte, who survive in Celina. On Oct. 20, 1973, he married Patricia Hax, who also survives in Celina. His first wife, Katherine Hogan, died in 1972.

Other survivors are two sons, Shane, Celina, and Matthew (Tracy), Concord, N.C.; and a grandson.

He worked at the Dayton Press and retired after 25 years from the State of Ohio as a dredge captain for Grand Lake St. Marys State Park. He was a member and past governor of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge and American Legion, both in Celina, the Mountain Top Veterans of Foreign Wars, Pleasant Hill, and the Southshore Sportsman Club, Celina. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Vietnam.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Matt Burden officiating.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the Mercer County Cancer Society for pancreatic cancer research or the State of the Heart Hospice of Mercer County.

Condolences can be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.