Howard Max Puterbaugh

Howard Max Puterbaugh, age 80, 490 Hackett Road, Benton, died at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2010 at his home after a long illness, with family members at his side.

Born on July 10, 1930 at the Bloomsburg Hospital, he was a son of the late Howard D. and Clara (Kocher) Puterbaugh of Central (Sugarloaf Township). He attended the Benton Public Schools and Temple University School of Engineering.

Howard was a plastering contractor since 1955, working throughout the area and he also owned and operated Howard’s Plaster and Drywall Supply in Millville for 27 years. Howard left his signature swirled plaster ceilings in hundreds of homes in the area before retiring in 1990. He was well respected for his expertise in his chosen trade and extremely honest in business.

Howard served as an elder/minister with the Jerseytown Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 40 years and more recently with the Muhlenburg Congregation, making many dear friends throughout the years. He was actively involved in public ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses and personally helped many neighbors and friends, teaching them about the Bible’s wonderful hope for the future.

He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and saw active military duty in the American Virgin Islands and Korea, receiving a Commendation Ribbon for Meritorious Achievement. He earned the rank of Sergeant before leaving the military in April of 1952.

Howard loved vacationing in the Virgin Islands, and camping, fishing and waterskiing with his family on the beautiful lakes of Ontario, Canada. He was known for his beautiful oil paintings, for which he won awards. He will be sadly missed.

He and his wife, the former Faythe M. Hackett celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on August 14, 2010. He and his wife resided in and raised their family in the Millville area before moving to Benton in 2004.

Also surviving are eight children: Larry Ross, and his wife Debbie, Anchorage, Ak., Cheryl, wife of David McLucas, Benton, Pamela Puterbaugh, Palm Coast, Fla., Howard (Randy) Puterbaugh, and his wife, Sis, Benton, Daniel Puterbaugh, and his wife Vanessa, Homer, Ak., Bonnie, wife of David Bowlin, Benton, Sarah Puterbaugh, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Jesse Puterbaugh, Los Angeles, Ca. There are 14 grandchildren: T.J. Quinn and Nicole Homsey, Aaron and Jonathan McLucas, Jarrett, Megan, Austin, Joshua, Rebecca, Sunny Ann, Jennasea Puterbaugh, Zoe Ross, and Emma and Sam Bowlin; six great-grandchildren: Lilianna Quinn, Nicholas Homsey and Ewan, Liam, Kian and Mira McLucas. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara, wife of Vernon Boose, Reamstown, and two brothers, Robert Puterbaugh, Millville, and John Puterbaugh, and his wife Joyce, Lairdsville.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca on July 16, 1970 and by five brothers: Wellington (Wink), Charles (Dutch), Gordon, Ross Eugene and Karl.

A public memorial service will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Jerseytown Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 244 Danville Road, Bloomsburg (at the intersection of PA Routes 642 and 44, approximately one mile south of Jerseytown). There will be no viewing.