RIDGELEY – Howard Owen Peer, 81, of Ridgeley, WV, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at home.

Born September 16, 1943, in Cumberland, he was a son of the late Howard "Dick" Bernard Peer and Foleda A. (Tusing) Helmick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Richard.

Howard was a graduate of Fort Hill High School. He went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1964 to 1968. He briefly worked as a police officer for the city of Cumberland before beginning his career of over 30 years as a machinist at CSX Railroad. Besides his family and his dogs, Howard loved to hunt – in fact he enjoyed anything related to guns. He was a longtime member of Piney Mountain Sportsmen's Association. He was also an enthusiastic fan of Westerns, both books and films.

Howard leaves behind his beloved wife, Sandra (Pryor) Peer; children, John Peer (Tracie), Marsha Keil (Brian), and Billie Wheeler (Gary); grandchildren, Heather Rose (Steve), Logan Keil (Brittany), Ethan Peer (Kaytlyn), Alexis Lucia (Justin), Isabel Jackson, and Ryan Jackson; great-grandchildren, Devanie, Kylee, and Owen Rose, Emma and Jameson Keil, Allirose Sachs, and Jaxen Peer; sister, Sharon Malone; brothers-in-law, Paul Pryor and Butch Pryor (Marsha); sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Miller (David) and Shirley Harden (Wayne); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 6 to 8pm.

A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 23 at 11am with Pastor Ken Hamilton officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, LaVale, MD. Military honors will be accorded by Ft. Cumberland Post 13 Honor Guard.