Earl Edwin Howard, 83, of Coeur d’Alene, (formerly of Kellogg) passed away April 28, 2012, at the Hospice House — Hospice of North Idaho in Coeur d’Alene. He was born Dec. 22, 1928, in Spokane. Earl was the son of Edwin James and Lily Ann (Grenfell) Howard.

Earl moved to the Silver Valley as a child with his family in 1930 from Pleasant Valley, Wash. He married Betty Jean Sciuchetti on March 19, 1955, at the American Lutheran Church in Kellogg. Betty passed away on Nov. 10, 2007.

Earl first worked as an operator/mechanic for the state of Idaho. He then worked for Shoshone County as a mechanic/operator for 32 years, before retiring in 1990.

Earl was a member of the Eagles, a member of the American Lutheran Church in Kellogg and a member and board member of the Steelworkers of America Retired. Earl also served as financial trustee for the SOAR’s bingo. He would also volunteer and serve as a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service.

As a young boy, Earl would haul water, supplies, as well as, visit his Uncle who manned the lookout tower on Kellogg Peak. Later in life, Earl from memory, built a miniature replica of this lookout tower. This tower of which Earl built, is presently displayed at the U.S. Forest Service building in Smelterville. He also enjoyed building miniature log cabins — Earl could make do with very little; he was very inventive and creative. Earl also loved and enjoyed his family, camping, cooking, latch hook work and taking road trips and rides.

Earl is survived by three children, Nancy (Al) Larsen of Coeur d’Alene, Sam (Diane) Howard of Rathdrum and Wendy (Robert) Scott of Absarokee, Mont.; two grandchildren, Christy (Ben) Markham of Post Falls and Katie (Colby) Jager of Corvallis, Ore.; one great-grandson, Jacob Markham; one brother, Charles (Dee) Rodgers of Coos Bay, Ore.; and one sister, Ann (Glenn) Anthony of Osburn. Earl is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; one sister; Lillian Carlson and one brother; George Howard.

Cremation was held and memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, 2012, at the American Lutheran Church in Kellogg, with Rev. Jason Bonnicksen officiating. A reception/luncheon will be held at the Church Fellowship Hall following services.

You may sign Earl’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with funeral arrangements.