Howard E. Ferringer of Lakeland, Florida, formerly of Masury, Ohio, passed away at 4:40 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017, in Florida.  He was 84.

Mr. Ferringer was born January 4, 1933, in Sharon, a son of Howard Burton and Margaret Ellen Moyer Ferringer.  He was a 1951 graduate of Brookfield High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He was a member of the American Legion, Post 160, Farrell.  Howard retired in 1995 as Superintendent of AK Steel's Wheatland plant (formerly Sawhill Tubular) where he was employed for 40 years.  He began his career at the plant as a laborer on the floor and worked his way through management.  He was well respected by everyone he worked for as well as those he supervised.

Howard's first love was his family.  He was the patriarch of his family and kept everyone anchored.  He led a very simple and rewarding life by giving and caring for others.

Howard was a former active member of St.'s Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sharon, where he was an elder for eight years and served as an usher and as the church treasurer.  Howard enjoyed camping and dedicated himself to making sure everyone else enjoyed themselves too.  He also enjoyed cooking during the holidays while he sang and danced in the kitchen.  He was a true handyman and, when he was younger, would make the rounds to family members on weekends to help with anything that needed repaired.  He enjoyed traveling and, following his retirement, took to the road in his motor home with his wife before settling into their life as snowbirds, traveling back and forth between homes in Ohio and Florida.  They eventually sold their home in Ohio and took up permanent residence in Florida, a place Howard loved.

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, the former Norma Jean Hoyney, whom he married July 11, 1953, in St.'s Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sharon; a son, Howard J. Ferringer, Hermitage, and his  children, Christopher Ferringer, West Middlesex, and his daughter, Natalia Ferringer; Lauren Ferringer, Hermitage; and Leah Rohrbacher and her husband Spencer, of Stafford, VA; a son, Jeffrey J. Ferringer and his wife Dawn M., of Parma, Ohio, and their children, Lindsey Martin and her husband Christopher, Winter Springs, FL, and their children, Trey and Amaya Martin; Brittany Snyder and her husband Brett, of Parma, Ohio, and their children, Emma, Coby and Jameis Snyder; and Chelsey Ferringer, Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters, Lynn Loudin, Farrell; and Peggy DeJulia, Hermitage; and several nieces, nephews and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Mary Weber.  The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St.'s Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 699 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.  Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017 , in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 7, 2017, in St.'s Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sharon, with Rev. Jacob Deal, pastor, officiating.  Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors.