(Obituary published in the Williamsport Sun Gazette April 16, 2009)
Howard Harry "Pop" Pewterbaugh, 81, of Muncy, went peacefully to be with his Lord on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at the Muncy Valley Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit.
Born August 14, 1927 at the Muncy Private Hospital, he was a son of the late Harry Daniel and Edna H. (Shipman) Pewterbaugh.
On August 27, 1949, he married the former June E. Eaker at "Dunroamin," the home of her parents, Lt. Col. Arthur T. and Ruth (Vandersloot) Eaker, located at 305 S. Main St., in Muncy.
Howard attended the Pennsdale School (a two-room schoolhouse) for eight years and graduated in 1945 from Muncy/Muncy Creek High School, where he lettered in football, wrestling and baseball, and was inducted into the Muncy Athletic Hall of Fame in May 1945.
Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he was a two-way starter on the Navy football team. After his honorable discharge in 1947, he continued to be active in sports, playing on locally-sponsored basketball, baseball and softball teams.
In 1948, Howard and his brother Bill enrolled in East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College (now East Stroudsburg University). While at E.S.U., he lettered in football, wrestling and track and was later inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at East Stroudsburg University.
After college graduation, Howard returned to his "hometown area," where he taught and coached at Montgomery-Clinton High School for 1 1/2 years, then worked for Lundy Lumber Co., and later as a carpenter. In 1967, he was hired as a temporary Industrial Arts instructor at East Lycoming School District in Hughesville and the following term, he was offered and accepted the position of Driver's Education instructor. While employed by East Lycoming, he joined the football coaching staff and later established the track program, where he was head coach for 18 years, until his retirement in 1987.
On Oct. 25, 1993, he was inducted into the West Branch Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Howard was an active member of the Peace River Masonic Lodge #66 in Arcadia, Fla., as well as the DeSota Shrine Club and the Arcadia Hi-Twelve Club. In addition, he was a member and past patron of Peace River Chapter #30 Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Wauchula Chapter #42 O.E.S., all located in the Arcadia, Fla. area, where Howard and his wife spent their winters for the past 22 years.
He was a member of the Nocatee United Methodist Church in Florida and was baptized in the Pennsdale Trinity United Methodist Church, where he attended while home in the summer months.
Howard "Pop" treasured the many friendships he formed throughout his lifetime, including the students, the teachers, the co-workers during his carpentry time, and all those who came into his life.
He is survived by and will be dearly missed by his wife and their children and grandchildren; daughter, Ruth Schneider and her three sons, Chris, Eric and Tyler; son, "Bill" (Debbie Feigles) and their sons, Ben (Sarah) and Josh (Beth); son Dick (Mary Bower) and their son, Zach. A first great-grandchild, Cora Jane Pewterbaugh, was born on April 9, 2008 to grandson Ben and his wife Sarah. Howard is also survived by his sister, Louise Scott of Muncy and brother, Bill of Schwenksville.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Craig, in 1983 and two very special grandparents who helped raise him, William L. and Elizabeth (Egli) Pewterbaugh.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Pennsdale Trinity United Methodist Church, where a luncheon will be held at noon, preceding the service. Officiating will be Pastor Rob Ransom of Pennsdale Trinity United Methodist Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hughesville.
Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Grenoble's, 121 S. Main St., Muncy.
The family welcomes flowers; however, if desired, memorial contributions may be made to either Muncy Valley Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, 215 E. Water St., Muncy, PA 17756 or Susquehanna Hospice, 1100 Grampian Boulevard, Williamsport, PA 17701.
