Well known educator Howard Dean Bloss Jr., 72 of Milan, died Saturday, March 29 at the Hospice of Cincinnati. He sustained life-threatening injuries in a car crash on January 23 when his vehicle collided with a semi truck at US 50 and SR 101.

He was born December 8, 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Howard Dean and Marjorie (Blake) Bloss Sr.

Locally Bloss will be remembered for his years at the Osgood Elementary School as principal and then as Superintendent of the Milan Community Schools for seven years. He also served in that capacity at Pekin schools. After leaving Milan, Bloss served as principal of Holy Redeemer Grade School in Evansville, was superintendent of South Newton County School Corporation at Kentland, and also superintendent of Metropolitan School District of Shakamak in Jasonville. He had taught and coached at schools in Georgetown, Hammersville and Norwood. After retirement, he worked at the Community Mental Health Center in Batesville.

Bloss received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Morehead State University and his Masters of Education from the University of Cincinnati.

He was a member of the Methodist Church, Milan Masonic Lodge #31, past president of the Milan Lions Club and Eagles, and was one of the founding members of the Milan Community Park. He was a member of the scholarship committee of the Ripley County Community Foundation and a member of the Indiana Superintendents Association of Public Schools and the Indiana School Board Association.

Bloss is survived by his loving companion, Marianne Wiggers, two sons: Howard Dean Bloss III and wife Julie of Cincinnati; Robert Byron Bloss of Georgetown, Ohio; daughter Teresa and husband Vernon Smith of Chesapeake, Ohio; a brother, Robert W. Bloss and wife Donna of Newburgh; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, April 4 from 5-8 p.m. at the Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home, Milan. Masonic services will be held at 7:45 p.m. No funeral service will be held. Burial will be at a later date in Maple Grove Cemetery in Booneville.

Memorials may be given to the Ripley County Community Foundation, Milan Lions Club, Milan Scholarship Fund or Hospice of Cincinnati.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home, Milan.

Howard Bloss, Jr.