Howard Smead

Howard C. Smead, age 78, of Adrian, went to be with his beloved on Thursday, December 11, 2014, at the home of his daughter, Tammy. He was born September 14, 1936, in Adrian to Forrest E. and Ruth (Hagerman) Smead. On June 21, 1958, he married June Osterhout in Adrian. She preceded him in death on December 27, 2012. Howard grew up working on the family farm and learned great work ethic early on. He retired from Kewaunee Scientific in 1984. Howard had been the owner and operator of Circle Star Trailer Sales for 42 years, retiring in June 2013. He was a true engineer and known to be a Mr. MacGyver with duct tape in hand. He always found a way to "fix it". His spirit of entrepreneurship has been carried down through the generations. Howard enjoyed camping and traveling through the years with friends and family. He had been an avid bicycle rider for many years, and miraculously survived a broken neck from a bicycling accident in 2012. Howard was a charter member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, where he had served in many capacities, including head elder and vice president of the congregation. He is survived by two daughters, Tammy (Jim) Holly of Onsted and Teresa Pape of Adrian; five grandchildren, Chelsi May, Miranda (Justin) Herriman, Harlie Sweet, Jeremiah (Vicki) Ruttkofsky and Matthew (Ashley) Ruttkofsky; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, June, he was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Wayne Smead and Donald Smead. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church with Pastor Daryl Etheridge officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian. Visitation will also be held on Friday at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. to be followed by the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.