Howard L. Smith

Howard L. "Howie" Smith, 85, of Oil City, died Monday evening, May 25, 2026.  He was born in Oil City on June 11, 1940, a son of the late Warren and Dorothy (VanBrussel) Smith. 

He was an active member of the Oil City Eagles Club where he volunteered with their Sunday drawings.  He was a lifetime member of the Pulaski Club. 

Howie enjoyed hanging out with his friends at the Eagles Club, and was a Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan. 

He worked for thirty-five years at Harris Lumber in Bullion, and then as a custodian at Double Play Sports Bar for eight years. 

He is survived by his children: Tammy Whitman, Teresa Tibbs and husband Glenn, Tina Graff and husband Bob, Timothy Smith, and Tabitha Sherman and husband Kevin; his grandkids: Kayley Meadows, Elisa Moore, Jordan, Selena, Skylar, and Wyatt Whitman, Destiny Goodman, Barry Hagan, Andrew Graff, Erin, Caleb, and Leah Smith, Christopher Smith, and Liberty and Eric  Rickenbach; four great-granddaughters, Serenity Meadows, Ella McBurney, Kehlani Meadows, and Melody Moore; and a great-grandson, Atreus Moore. 

Also surviving are two brothers, Norman and Wendell Smith; a sister, Dorothy "Dot" Smith; two brothers-in-law, Roy and David Reese; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Warren and Dorothy Smith, he was preceded in death by his former spouse, Nancy Smith; his brothers, Woody, Raymond, Donald, Robert, and William Smith; a niece, Rose Smith; nephews, Eric and Derek Smith; and four great-grandsons, Dominic, Noah, Kamden, and Reign Meadows. 

Visitation will be held Sunday (May 31) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, where a memorial service will follow Sunday at 1 p.m. with Pastor David McVay, family friend, officiating.  Interment will be in Plumer Cemetery. 

To express online condolences to Howard's family, visit www.hilebest.com

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