Howard Jacob Brounce

On November 26th at 10:28 PM, Howard Jacob Brounce of Uniontown, PA and Aiken, SC peacefully passed away. He was surrounded by loved ones at his home at the Trinity on Laurens retirement community in Aiken, South Carolina. Howard, or Howie/Howdy as his friends and family affectionately called him, was born in Monongahela, PA on January 24th of 1932 to his loving parents James Gordon Brounce and Alice Malpass Brounce. The sixth of seven brothers, Howard grew up rough-housing with his brothers on the family homestead. Those who have had the pleasure of knowing Howard over his long 93 year life know that he was endlessly devoted to his faith, family, and community.

Upon graduating from high school, Howard worked for American Steel & Wire as a bricklayer. Howard married his wife Janet in Winchester, VA on December 18th, 1952. During the Korean Conflict, Howard was drafted into the U.S. Army, and served stateside from 1953 until 1956. Howard worked for nearly 40 years at the Herald-Standard Newspaper in Uniontown, PA. After completing journeyman training, he started as a hot metal printer, eventually rising to become a foreman; later, he successfully navigated advancements in cold type, and eventually, digital printing. Howard worked most of his years on the night shift to ensure the citizens of Uniontown received the morning news every day. Upon retiring from the newspaper, Howard served the community by delivering for Meals on Wheels, and driving a hearse for Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home.

Howard was as dedicated to his faith as his role at the newspaper. Howard served as a Lifetime Deacon in the Uniontown Church of the Brethren for over 60 years. For 25 of those years, he and his wife Janet coordinated local, sub-district, and district programming as youth group advisors. A highlight of those years were trips to National Youth Conferences, and the formation of the Western PA District Youth Choir.

Howard and Janet moved south in 2000 to Aiken, SC, where their oldest daughter Gail Brounce Sintich (Dave) lived with their family. To be honest, the weather had a lot to do with the move. Howard jokingly said he would strap a snow shovel to his back before heading south. He would know he is far enough south, if someone stopped him to ask what he was carrying. Howard lived out the remainder of his life in Aiken, picking up the game of golf at the young age of 70 and remaining active in his faith at Grace Brethren Church in Aiken, where he resumed the role of Deacon.

Howard was a huge fan of his family, and introduced three generations to Pittsburgh Steelers fandom. He was a ruthless competitor and had a hall-of-fame winning percentage against his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Memory, Pick-Up Sticks, and Jacks; when they had their own sports matches, he made sure to attend. In recent years, he also enjoyed playing a rousing game of Bananagrams.

Howard is survived by his wife of 72 years, Janet Frankhouser Brounce, as well as his daughters Gail Brounce Sintich (Dave), and Gwen J. Brounce. Also surviving Howard are his 5 grandchildren Jacob B. Sintich (Sarah), Katherine S. Dukes (Matthew), John D. Sintich III (Melissa), Elizabeth J. Sintich, and Andrew P. Widdowson; his 4 great-grandchildren Lily, Jack, Jude, and Abigail Sintich, who he doted on endlessly; and sister-in-law Jean F. W. Havner. He will be remembered fondly by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Howard will now be able to reunite with two of his children; Glenda Joyce Brounce and Howard Jay Brounce, who died in childhood. Also preceding Howard in death are his parents, along with his siblings James (Jean), Thomas (Fay), William (Martha), Wesley (Elizabeth), George (Dorothy) and Robert (Josephine).

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff at Trinity at Laurens for their compassionate care.

A celebration of life for Howard Brounce will be held at 2pm on Tuesday December 9th in the Community Room at Trinity on Laurens, 213 Laurens St. NW, in Aiken, SC. The service will also be streamed online at https://brounce.family/hjb. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the McGuire Memorial Foundation, 545 Moon Clinton Rd., PO Box 1341, Moon Township, PA 15108, or online at https://brounce.family/hjb-donate.

SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC