Howard D. Spence, 70, of LaGrange passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022 at his home after a heroic battle with Huntington's Disease. He was born July 15, 1952 in Beckley, W.V. Howard was a 1970 Elyria High School graduate and was employed at the Ford Motor Company in Avon Lake for 42 years, retiring from the paint department. He served as a sergeant in the United States Army and was awarded the Commendation Medal by the Department of the Army Headquarters Berlin Brigade for saving a fellow serviceman's life. Survivors include his wife, Gay (nee-Looper); daughters, Erin Spence-Riddle and Kathleen Pentito; son, Matthew (Melissa) Spence; grandchildren, Olivia, Hayden, Carmin, Emily, Griffin, Gianna and Vincent; great-granddaughter, Catalina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Margaret Spence and a sister, Sandra Bell. The family will receive friends on Monday December 5, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services at 3:00 p.m. at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Services 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57), Elyria. The Rev. Shayne Looper will Officiate. Private burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America 505 8th Avenue, Suite 902 New York, N.Y. 10018 or HDSAinfo@HDSA.org. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com