Lester Howard Smith

Lester Howard Smith, known as Howard, formerly of Warsaw, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Medical City Denton in Denton, Texas, at the age of 83.

He was born on June 15, 1941, in Ford County, Illinois, to Alvin Fidella (Morgan) and Lester Lewis Smith. In 1946, Howard’s family moved to Warsaw, where he spent the majority of his life and was a 1959 graduate of Warsaw High School. Howard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Aug. 17, 1960, and proudly served until his honorable discharge on Aug. 14, 1964.

Throughout his life, he was always a reliable hardworking man and retired from Brock as the plant manager in Milford. Howard also worked at Biomet in Warsaw as a machinist until his retirement. In June of 2021, he moved to Lantana, Texas. He was a longtime member of First Christian Church of Warsaw, where he enjoyed worshiping alongside his church family. Lester will forever be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother and friend to many.

He leaves behind two sons, Christopher (Dawn M.) Smith, Lantana, Texas, and Tyson L. Smith, Carrollton, Texas; three grandchildren, Colton B. Smith, Gwendolyn E. Smith and Adelynne Smith; and his sister, Thelma Clark, Leesburg. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Glenn Smith; and sister, Dorothy Bell.

A visitation and service will be held Saturday, July 13, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service, from 10 a.m. until noon. Howard’s life will be celebrated with a service beginning at noon. He will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw with military rites conducted by members of the American Legion Post No. 49, VFW No. 1126, both of Warsaw, and active-duty members of the Air Force Honor Guard.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.