Dennis “Denny” Glenn Howman, 82 years old, born July 30, 1943, passed away on July 11, 2026, at his home in Wooster, Ohio.
He is survived by a daughter, Sarah King Howman; two grandsons Michael Glenn Howman-Williams and Isaiah Amalik Lee; a sister Susie Heil; and many close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eileen and Clarence Howman; a son, Michael Shane Howman; and a sister, Phyllis Myers.
Denny graduated from Wooster High School in 1961 after a successful football, baseball, basketball track career. He was an All Ohio Running Back in 1960 and set school records in Shot Put and Discus. Following high school Denny attended Ohio State University on a full scholarship to play football as a running back for Woody Hayes from 1961-1964. After graduating from Ohio State, he began his teaching and football coaching career first in southern Ohio and then to Wooster City Schools where he initiated an elementary physical education program. After retiring from Wooster City Schools, he continued his love of teaching at Boys Village in Smithville, Ohio. He was inducted into the Wooster High School Athletic Hall of Fame
He was so proud of Sarah, Michael and Isaiah and spent many years watching them excel in sports.
He shared his love of hunting and fishing with his children and spent many summer vacations in Canada on Manatoulin Island, Kagawong Lake and at his farm in southern Ohio, where he and his family spent a year building a log home overlooking the pond.
Donations may be made to the Wooster High School Football Program, 515 Oldman Road, Wooster, Ohio, 44691.
The family will hold a private celebration of Denny’s life and ask you to privately celebrate with a joyous heart.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Coach Howman was a great man. He deeply cared about every kid he coached. I always addressed him as,, “Coach Howman “. I never heard him raise his voice, or curse at an athlete. Love and respect for, “ Coach Howman “
Prayers to the family. He was my teacher at Wooster High school back in 2000 and 2001. He was absolutely an amazing teacher that wanted all his students to be successful and worked with ones who struggled. He will be missed by many.
Coach was one reason I made it Thur school lots of love for this man the world lost a great one this one hurts slot. Rip coach love u
Denny was a special friend that showed me lots of laughs and good times. He was the most caring person I know. RIP big guy. ❤️
Loved this Coach. He was kind, a gentle tease. Excellent coach, teacher and man. He tempered my hot head and mean streak. God bless him and what he did for young men like myself.
My dearest brother was the best man I have ever known. He loved his children, grandchildren and sisters very much. Since my husband died he always wanted to know if I needed anything. When I called he would always say “if this my baby sister” and “do you need any money”. My answers were always yes and no. During the end I asked if he wanted me to come to Ohio. He said “that would be nice but NO”. I don’t think he wanted me to see him in his condition. My love to Sarah, Michael, Isiah, Carol and Wayne who have who have kept me up to date and calmed my soul. Love from Arkansas, Susie
Thank you everyone for your kind words, he was my uncle and I love and will miss him badly.
Dear Howman family- Sarah , Carolyn, Michael & Isaiah- so sorry for your loss-
he was my gym teacher in grade school & a great man. May God grant you comfort , strength and peace in this difficult time
I’ve known Denny for over 50 years. When I played for him in the early 70,s at Wooster and then when I would see him years after that I always came away with the feeling I just talked with someone who really cared. Denny was a special man who will be missed.
Denny was my 5th grade teacher. He was so kind and really cared about the kids. He always remembered me, years later, when I saw him around town. My condolences to his family.
Denny was a kind man who loved all the kids he coached and taught. The Wooster City Schools are a better place because of Mr. Howman. God Speed!
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your father Sarah. Sending heartfelt sympathies to you and the family. When I walked by the house and he was out he always wanted to talk about family and ask about my daughter. RIP Denny
Coach Howman touched many lives in a positive manner; I had the privilege to have been one of those lives. May God bless you coach and thank you for all you’ve done.
What a cool guy he was !!!
Always a smile and a helping hand! A great athlete and coach.
I use to babysit for them with Shane & Sarah…beautiful family ! I was also their pre school teacher !!
Rest in Peace Denny .. you will be missed !! 🙏🏼💜🙏🏼
My deepest condolences, to Sarah and her boys. I loved Denny! Such a kind man.
Denny was an awesome guy. He helped me through some of my hardest times of High School. The one thing he never did that was so easy for many to do was, he never gave up on me. He had much faith in me. He was my teacher but more importantly he was my friend. He was a real and dear friend with a huge heart, an even bigger smile, followed with a wink.You will be missed my friend. I want to send my condolences to his daughter Sarah and his grandchildren that I knew he loved so much.You will for sure never go forgotten. Fly free in the heavens of glory with our Lord and Savior.
Always enjoyed the time I was around Denny my mom used to run around with his sister while he ran around with her brother. Such a kind heart and wonderful to talk to. He will be missed.
I have known Denny for over75 years when we were in Sunday school together.our Fathers were both firemen and good friends. He was so very caring and kind. I will truly miss him. My sincete sympathy to his family. You had a wonderful Father and Grandfather.if I can help in any way, please call
Dennys had a huge impact with my children. He was a wonderful football coach and teacher. A heart of gold, compassion unlimited,
and the kindest eyes that looked deeply into whoever he was talking to. Rest easy, Denny. Heaven awaits.
I was Denny’s aide at Boys Village and learned so much from watching his compassion caring for his students.
Thank you Coach for helping to inspire me to change my life around when I was headed down a dark road. Then as a adult I moved around the corner from you. And you was able to see the kid to impacted become a man and raise my kids over the 15 years. Thank you Den and you will be missed Sir.
Dear Denny: Your kind heart came through to each person you “touched.” You were a classmate beginning at Bowman St. through Wooster High School. You will always be remembered, dear friend. Sending my sympathies to the Howman family. You were blessed to have him as your father and grandfather. He loved you so much. May your memories be filled with the everlasting love he had for you. He will be missed by so many.
What can or can’t I say… Denny aka “Lenny” … I have known you all my life as you have always been my Dad’s (Wayne) BEST friend. So I have many fond memories of you. From when I was a child, and Sarah & Shane would come over and play with me & David while you & my parents did whatever it was adults did back then! You have always been there for my Dad. Through thick and thin. No one can ever describe the bond between the two of you, and now my Dad is showing signs of how much he misses you already. It is quite odd, yet enduring; a friendship that has such strong bonds. Thank you for being such a great friend and caring person. Denny…You will be missed more than you know. Stay strong Sarah!
Dennis Hellman was one of the finest athletes ever to come out of Wooster high school I met him at track practice his freshman year we shared some things. I will always remember that, and he always remembered me as a senior who helped him a little bit. He made a bond between the two of us. Totally respect that man is so proud to meet him and watch him grow. He always worked hard. He was always respectful to his fellow, classmates and fellow athletes. He never changed. He was at same person his entire life he totally respected that man because he respected everyone he came in contact. I have never known a man so dedicated to helping people and showing respect to all. I’m so proud that he was my friend. We had a special bond. I will never forget Dennis, I’m proud that we met when and how we did and he always showed respect to me for that day. I will never forget that day. It was a special day. We talked about for years. We we shared our thoughts about that day. It was a day we became friends. I loved and respected that man for the rest of his life. This was a great loss to all of us who were friends with him, so sorry, I know you have to be with the Lord. You were a very good person Dennis. He was a very good person.
Sorry to about Mr Howman’s passing he was my teacher when I went to Wooster. Him and Mr Greene were great. Loved being in his class. Great guy he will missed
RIP, Denny. Sending prayers.
Denny was always so sweet , always so friendly when he was walking around the neighborhood. He would always talk about something my mom had done or something she had said. Rest in peace, Denny!!!
Denny will be missed by all of us. He was always a part of Wooster Schools in some way and I was fortunate to have him with me at Boys Village school for many years until we both retired. He was a terrific teacher, with a way about him that reached even those hardest to reach. Kids of all ages loved him. I think we all did. Rest in peach my friend. My heartfelt sympathy to his family.
Mr. Howman was the BEST 5th Grade Teacher EVER!!! My Condolences to the family. I know he will be truly missed. RIP Mr. Howman.