Obituary for Howard "Howie" Vannoy
Howard Hadley “Howie” Vannoy, 85 of Gettysburg, PA died peacefully, surrounded by his family, Saturday, March 26, 2016, at the York Hospital.
He was born June 1, 1930 in North Wilkesboro, NC the son of the late John Thomas and Lora Watts Vannoy, Sr. His precious, beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Benton Vannoy died in 2014. In addition to his wife, he is predeceased by his three brothers; Wayne Vannoy, Wren Vannoy, and John T. Vannoy.
Mr. Vannoy was an active longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Gettysburg where he served as a Trustee and Usher. He was of impeccable character, fair-minded and friendly. He was generous to the church and those in need. As a man of faith his life personified the golden rule.
Howard graduated from Miller Creek High School, North Carolina in 1949 where he began his working career as a school bus driver while still a student in high school. After moving to Pennsylvania in 1952, he worked at Reed Standard in York and during that time moonlighted at the old Gulf Station on East York Street. Then for 48 years he was employed at Mack Truck, Inc. in Hagerstown, MD as a highly skilled machinist who made precision parts for truck engines. He was an active member of the United Auto Workers and he took care of the men in his department as their shop Steward. All together he worked 64 years and finally retired at the age of 81.
Howie also possessed great athleticism and stamina. He was captain of the Millers Creek High School Basketball Team and an awesome outside shooter that would have gotten him 3 points in today’s game. He pitched for the church softball team all through his life into his 80s and bowled in several leagues in his younger days. In his later years he took up golf and made annual trips to South Carolina with his golfing friends where he made a hole-in-one and was awarded a plaque. As a sports fan his greatest enthusiasm was reserved for Duke Basketball, traveling many times to Durham to watch games. He loved watching football, basketball, golf, and NASCAR on TV.
Mr. Vannoy loved his family above everything else. He is survived by three daughters; Brenda Singer, Christy Vannoy, Elizabeth Vannoy Bertram and her husband Dean Bertram, all of Gettysburg, PA, four grandchildren; Carlie Singer, Emily Bertram, Lora Bertram, Aidan Bertram; a sister, Ardena Spicer of North Wilkesboro, NC and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins of North Carolina and his canine family; Bessie, an old English (Mac Truck type) bulldog, a cocker spaniel named Belle, and Roxy, a little shih poo.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 2nd at 11:00 AM at the Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg, PA. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Memorials can be made to The American Cancer Society or The American Heart Association or just do a kind deed for someone in Howie’s memory. Online obituary and condolences available at monahanfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the EMTs, the medical professionals at both Gettysburg and York Hospitals who took care of him, and especially Joanie at the cancer center.
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He was born June 1, 1930 in North Wilkesboro, NC the son of the late John Thomas and Lora Watts Vannoy, Sr. His precious, beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Benton Vannoy died in 2014. In addition to his wife, he is predeceased by his three brothers; Wayne Vannoy, Wren Vannoy, and John T. Vannoy.
Mr. Vannoy was an active longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Gettysburg where he served as a Trustee and Usher. He was of impeccable character, fair-minded and friendly. He was generous to the church and those in need. As a man of faith his life personified the golden rule.
Howard graduated from Miller Creek High School, North Carolina in 1949 where he began his working career as a school bus driver while still a student in high school. After moving to Pennsylvania in 1952, he worked at Reed Standard in York and during that time moonlighted at the old Gulf Station on East York Street. Then for 48 years he was employed at Mack Truck, Inc. in Hagerstown, MD as a highly skilled machinist who made precision parts for truck engines. He was an active member of the United Auto Workers and he took care of the men in his department as their shop Steward. All together he worked 64 years and finally retired at the age of 81.
Howie also possessed great athleticism and stamina. He was captain of the Millers Creek High School Basketball Team and an awesome outside shooter that would have gotten him 3 points in today’s game. He pitched for the church softball team all through his life into his 80s and bowled in several leagues in his younger days. In his later years he took up golf and made annual trips to South Carolina with his golfing friends where he made a hole-in-one and was awarded a plaque. As a sports fan his greatest enthusiasm was reserved for Duke Basketball, traveling many times to Durham to watch games. He loved watching football, basketball, golf, and NASCAR on TV.
Mr. Vannoy loved his family above everything else. He is survived by three daughters; Brenda Singer, Christy Vannoy, Elizabeth Vannoy Bertram and her husband Dean Bertram, all of Gettysburg, PA, four grandchildren; Carlie Singer, Emily Bertram, Lora Bertram, Aidan Bertram; a sister, Ardena Spicer of North Wilkesboro, NC and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins of North Carolina and his canine family; Bessie, an old English (Mac Truck type) bulldog, a cocker spaniel named Belle, and Roxy, a little shih poo.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 2nd at 11:00 AM at the Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg, PA. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Memorials can be made to The American Cancer Society or The American Heart Association or just do a kind deed for someone in Howie’s memory. Online obituary and condolences available at monahanfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the EMTs, the medical professionals at both Gettysburg and York Hospitals who took care of him, and especially Joanie at the cancer center.
Previous Events
Service
Saturday
2
Apr
11:00 AM
Monahan Funeral Home
125 Carlisle Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 AM
Cemetery Details
Location
Evergreen Cemetery
799 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
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