Howard E. Brosius
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Howard E. Brosius
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Howard E. Brosius, 95, of Kittanning, PA, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2018, at his residence surrounded by his family.

He was born August 19, 1922 in Kittanning, the son of Howard E. Brosius, Sr. and Helen Alfreda (Kespelher) Brosius.

Howard was a lifelong resident of Kittanning and honorably served in the US Navy during World War II. He continued to serve in the Navy following the war and worked his way up to the rank of lieutenant commander; he retired on June 30, 1971 after 29 years of service. After returning to Kittanning he worked at the family business, H. E. Brosius Company, where he worked as an engineer, plant supervisor and eventually president. While at the company he designed several fishing tools for oil, gas and water wells. These tools were shipped all over the world, including Africa and India.

Education was important to Howard and he earned degrees in engineering at several schools: Thiel College, Baldwin-Wallace, Northwestern University in Chicago, University of North Carolina in Raleigh, University of Pittsburgh and University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Howard was a history buff and was especially interested in military history. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Howard was involved in numerous organizations and held life memberships with the American Legion, Masonic Lodge #244, the Coudersport Consistory, and the National Rifle Association. He also served as the treasurer for the Armstrong County Pistol Club and belonged to the Pony Farm Trap and Gun Club and the Shannock Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Howard was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and served on different committees at the church, most notably on the property committee and as president of the church council when the church was without a pastor. The Boy Scouts was another organization he enjoyed helping with and also served as an advisor for Cub Scouts.

He is survived by his loving wife, Irene Bussard-Brosius, whom he married August 27, 2000; son, Edward Brosius and wife, Connie, of Kittanning; daughters, Kathleen Wartinbee and husband, David, of Soldotna, AK, Jean T. Brosius and companion, Sam Radding, of San Diego, CA, Caroline Jay and husband, Lannie, of Troutman, NC, and Charlotte Dunnavant and husband, David, of Houston, TX; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Cheryl L. Bussard, of Colorado Springs, CO, and Pamela McCullough, of Butler; five step-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; first wife and mother of his children, Vera M. (Tam) Brosius; second wife, Mary Pauline "Peggy" (Brennan) Brosius; step-son, Richard D. Pieringer; step-granddaughter, Staci (Rosborough) Shaffer; and brother, Charles W. Brosius.

Relatives and friends will be received from 10 AM until the time of the Masonic service at 11 AM, with the funeral service immediately following, on Monday, April 9, 2018 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 218 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, with the Rev. Carl A. Johnson and Vicar Matthew Vatalare co-officiating. Following the service, military honors will be presented by the American Legion Honor Guard.

Burial will be in Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, PA.

Contributions may be made in Howard's memory to St. John's Lutheran Church, 218 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA 16201.

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Howard E. Brosius