David F. Howsare

David F. Howsare, 84, of Staunton, Virginia, passed away Sunday, September 21 2025.

Dave was born October 6, 1940, the oldest son of the late Fred and Edna (Cessna) Howsare of Colerain Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

Dave graduated from Bedford High School in 1958 and enlisted in the US Navy in 1959. He served as a corpsman on the transport ship USNS Upshur TAP 198 and USS Enterprise CVA (N) 65, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The crew of the Upshur helped to evacuate 1,725 people from Guantanamo Bay Cuba to Norfolk VA in October 1962 during the missile crisis. While on board the Enterprise in 1964, Dave sailed around the world, starting in Gibraltar and ending in Norfolk, Virginia as part of Operation Sea Orbit. In doing so, he became a member of the Ancient Order of the Deep and a Knight in the Order of the Golden Dragon.

After discharge from the Navy in 1967, Dave worked for Western Geophysical, an oil exploration company on the north slope of Alaska, for 14 years. He spent time in Antarctica as part of the United States Antarctic Research program from 1988-1989.

Dave met Rachel Jane Zorn in the Navy and they were married on May 27, 1989, in New York City. They settled in Churchville, Virginia at first, and later moved to Staunton.

Dave attended Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia, earning an applied science degree in animal technology. He retired from the Augusta County (Virginia) Service Authority. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and regular walks in the mountains or on Bell's Lane. He also doted on ("spoiled") his dogs and cats through the years. He and Jane did a lot of traveling together.

Jane preceded Dave in death on August 12, 2012. In addition to Jane and his parents, Dave was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Kuhn.

He is survived by siblings Barb Frederick (Keith) of Springwater N.Y., Dan Howsare (Joan) of Bedford, Penn., and Phil and April Howsare of Colerain Township, Penn., and many nieces and nephews.

Dave was a wonderful brother and friend and will be dearly missed by his family, his breakfast group at Hometown Grill and also by his neighbors in the cul de sac on Hillandale Drive.

A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at St. Ann Catholic Church in St. Anna (N188 School Street, New Holstein, Wisconsin 53061). Rev. Alvan Amadi will officiate. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the New Holstein American Legion Post 124 & State Military Honors will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will take place at the church from 10:30 AM until the time of service.

Memorials may be directed to the family for Guillain-Barré Syndrome research or to local animal shelters. Please address your envelope: Family of David Howsare C/O Sippel Funeral Home PO Box 135 New Holstein, WI 53061.

Bear Funeral Home in Churchville, Virginia is assisting the family in Virginia.

For additional details, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.