Howard Tallman Searles, Jr.

Howard Tallman Searles, Jr. 95, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026 after a brief illness. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Odessa Baptist Church, 111 Fowler Place, Odessa, NY 14869.

Howard was born in Geneva, NY on May 19, 1930, to the late Howard and Elizabeth Searles. He graduated from Geneva High School and SUNY Delhi with a degree in Construction Management and SUNY Oswego with a degree in Industrial Arts Education.

Howard was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Marietta Knisley Searles in 2010. He is survived by his son, Alan Searles of Odessa, NY, and daughters, Carol French (Rick) of Bradford, NY and her children Shannon (Mat) and Aaron (Megan) and their children Dominik and Colton; and Mary Beth (James) Huber of Raleigh, NC and her children Bryan and Timothy. He is also survived by his sisters Christine Milne, Dorene MacDonald, Marion (Richard) Buck and Isabel (Jack) Mroczkowski and sister-in-law Patricia Searles. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Fred Searles and sister Sally Booth and brother- and sister-in-laws Edward MacDonald, Bruce Milne, Eugene Knisley, John Knisley and Kathleen Blackburn.

Howard was a long-time member of the Odessa Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee and Treasurer for many years. He retired from Odessa Montour Central School where he taught wood shop for 25 years. Howard was a master woodworker whose work can be found in many homes in the area. He was a long-time member of the Odessa Lions Club and was also an Odessa Village Trustee from 1964-1968 and Mayor of Odessa from

1968-1974 overseeing the construction of the Village Hall that included a Community Center and Fire Station completed in 1970. Howard and Marietta enjoyed going on many trips with family and friends. Howard also loved working on jigsaw puzzles especially when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren assisted.

Howard was drafted in the Korean War serving from May 1951 to February 1953. He spent 10 months in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regiment, Heavy Mortar Company.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Odessa Baptist Church, PO Box 149, Odessa, NY 14869.