BUFFALO TWP — An elderly man whose body was found in snow outside his home Saturday afternoon died of natural causes, according to the Butler County Coroner’s office.

Howard F. McDermott, 86, who suffered from dementia, apparently wandered off from his home at Jack’s Mobile Home Park in Buffalo Township.

County Deputy Coroner Larry Barr pronounced McDermott dead about 2:30 p.m. He was wearing a coat.

The county Communications Center got a missing person’s call at 11:10 a.m. It was not immediately known who made the call from McDermott’s home on Boyd Drive.

Buffalo Township police were initially notified and started the search. Later, Buffalo Township and Sarver volunteer firefighters were called to join in the search.

Firefighters got there around noon time, said Chief Bill George of the Sarver Volunteer Fire Company.

George said searchers eventually found McDermott’s body “within 300 feet” of his home.

The body, he said, was hidden behind a large pile of plowed snow in the trailer park off Route 356.

A woman who answered the telephone at Jack’s Mobile Homes referred any comment to the assistant manager, who was not available this morning.

It was not known if McDermott, a Navy veteran of World War II, was home alone Saturday morning when he turned up missing. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean, four children, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The Fox Funeral Home is Saxonburg is handling funeral arrangements.