Howard Edward Springer

Howard Edward Springer, October 26, 1930 – November 26, 2025

Howard Edward Springer, 95, of Paoli, Indiana, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025. Born on October 26, 1930, at his family’s farmhouse in Paoli, he was the son of Fred and Sibyl (Jones) Springer.

Howard graduated from Paoli High School in 1948 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Purdue University in 1955. He later received his Master of Science in Chemistry from Indiana University, focusing on agriculture.

On February 3, 1956, Howard married his best friend, Kathryn (Holaday). Their nearly 70 years of marriage (and 77 together) were filled with love, laughter, and a deep devotion to each other and their family. Kathryn was Howard’s constant teammate in all of life’s seasons. Whether it was jumping in the truck for a last-minute parts run or delivering meals to feed a hungry harvest crew, she was always by his side, supporting the life they built together on the farm. Together, they raised two children, Mark and Diann, and found great joy in raising their children on the family farm. Whether working long days in the fields or winters together in Florida, they never lost their sense of adventure, and were thankful for each and every day they shared.

Howard’s life was deeply rooted in farming. After years of teaching, he returned full-time to the family farm, a tradition now carried on by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though equipment and technology advanced greatly since he first started, Howard embraced every change with determination and skill, remaining fully engaged in planting and harvesting, living the life he loved. His dedication earned him the Prairie Farmer Master Farmer of the Year award in 1983 and Conservation Farmer of the Year in 2021. His passion for agriculture extended beyond his own fields, as he devoted many years to supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders through 4-H and teaching agriculture to veterans. In addition to farming, Howard served 16 years on Orange County Council and took pride in selling Pioneer Seed. For Howard, farming and service were more than a job, they were the foundation of his life. His values of hard work, faith, and family will continue to guide those who carry on his legacy for generations.

A man of faith, Howard was active in his church, serving as church superintendent at Old Union Methodist Church for many years before becoming a member of Paoli Methodist Church.

Howard’s patience, particularly with his grandchildren, was one of his most cherished qualities. His calm demeanor and thoughtful guidance left a permanent mark on those who had the privilege of being loved by him. His love for Christmas was legendary. He poured his heart into picking the perfect gifts and treasured the joy of having his family together. His generous spirit and love for the season will be remembered always, especially through his cherished song the family sang at the start of every Christmas “Merry Christmas to you.”

Howard is survived by his wife, Kathryn; their children, Mark (Janelle) Springer of Paoli and Diann (Bill) Mathers of Orleans; grandchildren, Lori Mathers of Orleans, Daniel (Holly) Springer of Paoli, Brian (Brandi) Springer of Paoli, Joe (Nikki) Mathers of Orleans, Jodi (Josh) Smith of Orleans, Allison (Jeff) Fischer of Paoli, and Thomas (Taylor) Springer of Paoli; as well as 22 great-grandchildren. Howard is also survived by his sisters, Frieda Clark of Speedway, IN, Rosie Funk of Orleans, IN, Margaret (Larry) Hill of St. Charles, FL, and Linda (John) Schrieber of Scottsburg, IN. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Holsapple of Orleans.

Howard's legacy of family, farming, and values will continue to be cherished for generations. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

The visitation for Howard Edward Springer will be held on Monday, December 1, 2025, from 3 pm - 8 pm at McAdams Mortuary. The funeral will be on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 1 pm at the funeral home. Michael Pallotto will officiate. The burial will be in the Paoli Community Cemetery. For condolences, visit mcadamsmortuary.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

Orange County 4-H

205 E. Main St.

Paoli, IN 47454