Howard D. Vaas, 89, died on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility in Manistee, Michigan.

Mr. Vaas was born on November 13, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Frederick and Ellen Vaas. He was a graduate of Central High School (Grand Rapids) Class of 1946, and earned an Engineering degree after attending Grand Rapids Junior College and the University of Michigan. Howard moved to Manistee in 1964 after marrying Norma J. Kolb on November 26th. He had a successful career employed by various companies in the Manistee area until his retirement from Morton Salt in 1994. From then on, Howard enjoyed spending time camping with Norma and fishing with family and friends.

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Howard J. & Stacey Vaas, and Mark & Stephanie Vaas all of Manistee, MI; grandchildren, Ellen, Adam, and Avery Vaas all of Manistee, MI; and brother, Fred Vaas of Holland, MI. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. Mr.Vaas was preceded in death by his wife Norma (Kolb) Vaas, sisters Dorothy Reed and Mary Ellen Drury, and brother Donald Vaas.
Funeral Services will be held at noon on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, with Pastor Alto Goodspeed Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at the Stronach Township Cemetery in Stronach Michigan.

The family of Howard would like to thank Larry, Andrea, and Anne who helped him at home, as well as the staff of the Manistee County Medical Care Facility, for their diligent demonstration of autonomous and compassionate care.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee was in charge of funeral arrangements.