Howard E. Smith

Howard E. Smith, 93, of Drums, passed away Monday afternoon at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton following a brief illness.

Born in Drums, October 29, 1921, he was the son of the late Charles and Adeline (Drasher) Smith and spent most of his life in Drums.

Howard worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Bechtel Power Corporation before retiring in 1983.  He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local #542, Philadelphia and the Local #542 Retirees Club.  He was a member of St. Johns United Church of Christ, St. Johns.  He was a US Army Veteran of WWII and was a member of American Legion Post #795, Drums.  He was also a member of the Butler Township Fire Company and the Butler Township Senior Citizens.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his wife the former Rosetta Uplinger, who passed away in 2002; a son Howard E. Smith, Jr.; five brothers Millard, Elmer, Carl, Elwood, and Burton; and three sisters Gladys Kalenivitch, Catherine Smith, and Caroline Arner.

Surviving are a son Dwayne and his wife Lisa, Drums; two daughters Sally Verbonitz and her husband Michael, Elizabethtown, TN; and Sharon Cunfer, Drums; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held Saturday at Noon from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East) 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, followed by continued services at 12:30 pm in St. Johns UCC, 772 St. Johns Road, St. Johns.  Burial will follow in St. Johns Lutheran and UCC Cemetery, St. Johns.  Friends may call at the funeral home Friday evening 7-9 pm.

Contributions in Howard’s memory can be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Johns UCC, PO Box 2, St. Johns, PA 18247.  Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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