Howard E. Baumgartner, 101, of Berne, Ind., died Oct. 30, 2025. He was born June 8, 1924, to Elmer W. Baumgartner and Bertha (Lehman) Baumgartner in Berne. He married Phyllis J. Hartzler on Aug. 17, 1947.
Howard was an alumnus of Bluffton Univer-
sity and Indiana University (B.S. in business) and Indiana University School of Law (J.D.). He practiced law in Berne from 1950 until 1994, founding Baumgartner Law Office (later Baumgartner & Beitler and now Baumgartner Attorneys PC). His law practice was concentrated in the areas of real estate law, corporations, estate planning and settlements and municipal law.
He was involved in local Mennonite churches and numerous boards of the broader Mennonite church, including the Board of Directors of Mennonite Mutual Aid (now Everence), the Board of Trustees of Bluffton University and Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA.
He is survived by five children, Barbra J. (James Myers) Gant of East Liberty, Ohio, Jean (Wendell) Miller of Bluffton, Ohio, Joyce (Marvin) Hall of State College, Pa., James (Naomi) Baumgartner of Goshen, Ind., and David (Tanya) Baumgartner of Berne; 11 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a step-great-grandchild.
A memorial service was held at Swiss Village auditorium. Burial was at MRE Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to be made to Swiss Village Samaritan Fund, Bluffton University or Mennonite Central Committee.
