Howard W. Probst

To watch the Memorial Service of Howard William Probst click here.

Howard William Probst, 77, of Williamsport, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA.

He was born on February 23, 1946, in Williamsport, PA, a son of Charlotte Ellen (McGinnis) and Howard Llewellyn Probst. Howard was a 1964 graduate of South Williamsport Area High School, where he immensely enjoyed his time performing percussion with the marching band. He then attended and graduated from Lycoming College in 1968 with a B.A. in History. After college, Howard kept his interest in history alive by being an avid reader and consuming pretty much any historical non-fiction. However, he wasn't always serious, and his playful side flipped to the Sun Gazette comics as soon as he opened the newspaper. The Peanuts cartoon was his very favorite, with Snoopy always giving him a smile. Speaking of smiles, even though his children moved to Georgia and Texas, his smile lit up the room when he visited with his son, daughter, and their respective children. In his spare time, Howard enjoyed watching his beloved Pittsburgh sports teams and relaxing on his front porch with a cup of coffee while saying "hi" to neighbors and friends. 

Howard was confirmed at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Williamsport, PA, as a young man and was dedicated to a life of discipleship in Jesus' name. He was most recently an active member with his wife Sharon at New Covenant United Church of Christ, Williamsport, PA. Howard was especially fond of his relationship with Rev. Pastor Bradley A. Walmer.  

Howard was married to Sharon Lee (Bressler) Probst of Tyrone, PA, who survives him. He was a lifelong resident of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, except for a proud four-year stint (1968-1972) spent in the United States Air Force, where he obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Howard was very proud of his service and retained his love of aircraft to the very end. He regularly read books dedicated to military aircraft and even still kept a flight manual for his beloved Douglas C-124 Globemaster. His interests weren't limited to flight though as he was also a model train enthusiast who tinkered with building entire landscapes for his Model N trains. 

On October 16, 1971, Howard and Sharon married in Tyrone, PA, and spent the next 51 years together, even moving across the country to live in California during Howard's time in the Air Force. 

Howard was predeceased by his aforementioned parents and his beloved Aunt Dorothy Eleanor Probst, a lifelong resident of Williamsport, PA, and long-time American Red Cross volunteer. Howard was also particularly proud that he donated over ten (10) gallons of blood to the American Red Cross over his lifetime.  

Howard is also survived by his son, Kyle Douglas Probst, and his wife, Deborah Lee Probst, and their daughter Grace Isabelle Probst, of Canton, Georgia; daughter, Amy Lynn Page, and her husband, Kirk Page, and their son Dylan Matthew Page and daughter Kirklynn Marie Page, of Ballinger, Texas. 

A memorial service to honor Howard’s life will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 12 p.m. at Knight-Confer Funeral Home, 1914 Memorial Ave., Williamsport, with a visitation prior from 11 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Red Cross, 320 E. 3rd Street, Williamsport, PA, or the National Air & Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 98091, Washington, DC 20090 or online at airandspace.si.edu/support/ways-give.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Howard W. Probst, please visit our floral store.