Howard E. Pottenger

Howard Eugene Pottenger, 89 of Tipton died at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at his residence.  He was born in Wabash on January 27, 1930 to Howard A. & Martha (Rife) Pottenger.  Howard and Janice Kline were married on October 10, 1953 and they celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Howard served as the General Manager at Tipton Telephone Company for 23 years, retiring in 1996.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and an Elder at the church. He belonged to the Tipton Elks #1012 where he was Elk of the Year for 1998-99; American Legion and the Moose Lodge.  Howard was a graduate of Linlawn High School in Wabash County, Class of 1948 and attended several technical schools pertaining to the telephone industry.  He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Indiana Telephone Association.

Howard served as the former President of the Tipton County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Fairview Cemetery Board for many years.  He enjoyed gardening, golfing, bowling and family get-togethers and outings. Howard served in the U.S. Navy from 1948-52 during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife Jan; four children, Michael P. Pottenger, Noblesville, Stanley Pottenger and wife Kim, Cicero, Jean Ann Bray and husband Paul, Pride, Louisiana, and Julie Pottenger and husband Dick Grishaw, Tipton; one sister, Norma Wingert and husband Wesley, North Manchester, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Michael C. Pottenger, Rachel Pottenger, Sarah Rees, Mary Pottenger, Cecilee Henderson, Mitchell Bray and Kelsey Johnson.

Howard is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, Lexus Ford, Saeli Ford, Audrey Rees, Riley Rees, Kyle Pottenger, Tanner Pottenger, Carson Pottenger, Lexi Bray, Ethan Bray, Noah Walker, Luke Walker, Hope Walker, Hannah Henderson and Olivia Henderson; one great-great-grandchild, Ginny Leigh Morrow.

Funeral services for Howard will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30 at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, with Pastor Phil Votaw presiding.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Young-Nichols Funeral Home and on Monday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.