Howard Samuel Koontz, 99, died peacefully at home May 19, 2018 surrounded by the love and comfort of his children.
Born June 8, 1918 in Ronceverte, WV, he was the son of Samuel Dixon and Connie Reynolds Koontz.
He married Evelyn Pearl Loving, who was the love of his life. He was devoted to her from the day they met and looked forward to spending eternity with her. Seventy-five years later she preceded him in death in 2012.
They left West Virginia 1937 to pursue a career and raise his family in Erie, PA. He retired from the American Sterilizer Company after 33 years of service in quality control.
Howard was a loyal and devoted husband, father, grandparent, employee, friend and citizen. He gave from the heart expecting nothing in return. He lived his Christian life exemplifying what a true servant of God looks like.
He was an active member of the Assembly of God Church in Erie, PA and supported missions both in church and out. He faithfully attended and supported Eakle Chapel Methodist Church in White Sulphur Springs since his retirement in 1976.
He was a 25-year member of Crawford and Erie County Auxiliary State Police, volunteered for the Red Cross in Erie and taught first aid for many years. He is a 50 year+ Mason and Past Master of Allegheny Masonic Lodge 136 in White Sulphur Springs. Also a 50 year member of Beni Kedem Shriners organization volunteering many ways and at the State Fair booth until two years ago.
Howard followed his heart back to West Virginia to his farm, when he retired in 1976 and enjoyed many long and productive years close to much of his family.
He had a love of aviation and became a private pilot after retirement. He had many hobbies and talents. He loved photography and was known as "Mr. fix it" by family and friends.
Always gentle, kind and appreciative of what others did for him. He was lovingly known as Papa to all the family and was a true patriarch.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; a son, John Koontz and his wife, Louise; grandson, Jeffrey Kelly and sister, Louise Bittinger.
Howard is survived by daughters, Ruby Kelly (Calvin), Rita Bittinger (Chuck) of White Sulphur Springs, son, Daniel Koontz (Barbara) of the Villages, FL, sister, Jean Flint, Beckley, WV; 10 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 24 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation to share and cherish memories will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Eakle Chapel Methodist Church in White Sulphur Springs with Rev. Ed Vallandingham officiating. Burial will follow in Greenbrier Memorial Gardens.
Special thanks are extended to his caregiver, Lisa Burns Taylor, for the loving care and support she provided to Howard and his family, Dr. Emily Griffith and White Sulphur Springs Rescue Squad.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to The Shriners Hospital for Children, 1900 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY 40502-124. 859-266-2101 www.shrinershospitalorchildren.org.
