Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw

Samuel L. Howard, age 60, of Hermitage, Missouri passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at his home. He was born on October 11, 1951 in Cross Timbers, Missouri, the son of Clayton Wesley and Martha Aileen (Gates) Howard.

He grew up in Hickory County and graduated from high school in 1971. He then enlisted in the United States Navy serving until his honorable discharge in 1977. Sam was employed with Ford Motor Company as a coordinator and programmer of robotic safety. On July 10, 1999, he was united in marriage to Sheryl Smith; they made their home in the Kansas City area, until returning to Hermitage in 2004.

Sam was a member of the UAB Local #249 and the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, camping, kayaking and photography; however the most enjoyable time was that spent with his family and grandchildren, whom will miss him dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Aaron Smith and one brother Donald Wesley Howard.

He is survived by his wife Sheryl, of the home, three daughters; Sabrina Voyles, of Hermitage, Lori Benight and her fiancé Chuck Leupold, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Jesse Hicks and her husband Sgt. Jeffery Hicks, of Ft. Poke, Louisiana, fifteen grandchildren, one sister, Leila Berryman, and her husband Jerry, of Warsaw, Missouri, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Services for Samuel L. Howard will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, May 20, 2012 at the Reser Funeral Home, in Warsaw, Missouri. Visitation will be held Saturday evening from 6:00 until 7:00 P.M. Burial and Military Rites will be held at the Fairview Cemetery, in Cross Timbers.