Howard B. Reed

January 01, 1970

REED HOWARD B. (HOWDY)
Our Eagle joined the angels flying to Heaven. Howard B. Reed, 91, of Cranberry Township. passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2016. He was the patriarch of his Reed Clan and will be deeply missed. He was born in Bellevue, PA to Roland and Maye (Snyder) Reed. He was the third of four children and the last survivor. He graduated from Bellevue High School in December 1942 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. Before he shipped out to Hawaii, he and his high school sweetheart Dorothy (Dottie) Baumann were married in Oceanside, California in 1945. Dottie traveled across the country to marry the love of her life and spent their one night honeymoon in a borrowed travel trailer. After he left the Marines, Howdy and Dottie settled in their hometown of Bellevue to raise a family of four. He spent his entire career in the mobile home industry, succeeding his father as president of Reed Homes, Inc. of Cranberry Twp. Howard and Dottie were married for 64 years before her passing in 2009. Howard was a devoted father of Susan Reed, Bonnie Reed Chemel (James), Jeff Reed (Celeste) and the late Dr. David M. Reed (Paula). He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Mike Klingensmith, Bonnie Kellar, Brian Chemel, Benjamin Chemel, Abby Reed, Jessa Reed, Kristen and Alex Nieser; and eleven great-grandchildren. Howard was an avid scuba diver and helped charter the Channel Cats diving club in the late 1950’s in Pittsburgh. Howdy loved his horses which led him to ride a fine Saddle Bred in the Syria Shrine Horse patrol. Howard was a longtime Rotarian and a Harris Fellow award recipient. He set an example for others by his community service. He was a volunteer fireman in Bellevue before moving to what was a vacant countryside, Cranberry Twp. in the 1960’s. He deeply cared about Cranberry Twp. Howard was a Cranberry Twp. supervisor for many terms and was instrumental in developing the infrastructure for the present day township. He also worked on the planning commission, zoning commission and the water authority. He was instrumental in bringing public water to Cranberry Twp. Howard was a member of the Board of Directors of Beaver Trust Bank and Butler Memorial Hospital. Howard’s passing will leave a void to all those who have known him. The family expresses its heartfelt appreciation for the loving care given by the professionals at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Village, and especially the nurses and staff of Oak Grove. He was a longtime member of Plains Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Plains Cemetery Association at 326 Plains Church Road, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066. Contributions can also be made, in memory of Howard’s son, Dr. David M. Reed, to The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (bafound.org). Family and friends received Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME OF CRANBERRY, 2678 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp. (724) 772-8800. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Plains United Presbyterian Church in Cranberry.