F. Howard East went home to be with his Creator Thursday, September 28, 2017 at the age of 79.  He was born in Muncie, Indiana on December 25, 1937.

He is survived by his daughters, Kim East, Kathy Goodnight (Matt); grandchildren, Jacob Goodnight (Shelby), Jenni Goodnight; great granddaughter, Charlotte Goodnight; sister, Lois Jeffers; brother, Charles East (Rita).

In Heaven, Howard joins his wife of 42 years Lynn A. East.  He was a dedicated husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, and friend and will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

He was also preceded in death by brother, Don Tobey; and sister, Mary Sweigart.

Howard was a graduate of Cowan High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and a MBA from Ball State University.  He earned his Certified Public Accountant certificate in 1963.  Upon graduation from college, he began his career with Ernst and Young in Indianapolis.  He joined Bell Packaging Corporation in 1965 based in Marion, IN.  From 1981 to 1993, Howard was a member of the Board of Directors and the company’s president.  In 1993, he became to Vice-Chairman of the Board.

His many professional associations included membership in the American Institute of CPA’s, Indiana Society of CPAs, American Management Association and the Young Presidents Association.  He had served on the Board of Directors of the American Forest and Paper Association, Kraft Paperboard Group, Financial Executives Institute and the Past President of the National Association of Accountants.

He was committed to serving his community as a leader in United Way campaigns and was on the Board of Directors of Carey Services, Marion National Bank, Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Junior Achievement of Grant County.  Howard assisted many new businesses and entrepreneurs through the Marion and Indianapolis Score Chapters.  Other community and civic activities include member of the Board for

Marion/Grant County Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Marion Easter Pageant (past Board President), Marion Development Committee, and Indiana Wesleyan University Advisory Committee.

Outside of work, Howard found much enjoyment with his dear friends and loving family.  He held a private pilot’s license for multi-engine with an instrument rating.  He often would take the controls of Bell Fibre’s corporate plane – “Baker Fox”.  Beginning with Howard’s days as a high school athlete, his passion for sports ranged from watching any level of basketball, football and golf, to water skiing when the lake was smooth as glass or when he successfully completed a challenging round of golf.  Howard loved the out of doors and marveled at the beauty of God’s creation in nature.  He captured a few of these scenes on canvass as a talented artist.

A celebration of life will be at Elm Ridge Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 4600 W. Kilgore Ave. Muncie, IN 47304, on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.  Visitation at 1:00 p.m., service at 1:30 p.m. in the North Chapel/Mausoleum with burial immediately following.  The memorial service will be officiated by Pastor Kevin J. Holt.  As you arrive at Elm Ridge, proceed past the Funeral Home building to the far northern entrance of the mausoleum facility.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the church of your choice or American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org

Arrangements: Indiana Funeral Care