Howard Kastner

1941 - 2025

Howard Kastner

Born: Dec 21, 1941 | Died: Aug 3, 2025

Howard Kastner of Tellico Village, TN, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Sunday, August 3, 2025.

Howard was born on Long Island in New York on Dec. 21, two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and was an only child. He graduated from Eastern Military Academy and earned his BS degree in Business Administration from Pennsylvania Military College. Howard achieved the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army. While waiting for basic training he met the love of his life, Susan Whitney on Christmas Eve, 1964. They were married June 24th, 1967; they loved to say that they met on the 24th, were married on the 24th, and their first child was born on the 24th (All different years and different months, of course.) Child #2 broke the pattern but, since she arrived the day before their 6th anniversary, all was forgiven.

Howard was a hard worker, from his first job was with GE Credit to working in the credit department of the once famous Brooklyn department store, Abraham and Strauss to his final role in sales at Chrysler Corporation. This longest part of his career involved moving from New York to Michigan, followed by California, Georgia, Colorado and back to Michigan over 20+ years.

In his retirement he never slowed down. Howard was a proud member of the Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department from 2002 until his death. A lifelong Lutheran, he was a charter and active member of the Shepard of the Lake Lutheran Church. He also supported the Good Shepard Center in Madisonville and delivered meals for the Friendship Kitchen. In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, card games, golf, visits with family and especially grandchildren, golf, and travel. He never met a stranger. The Tellico Singers song, Tellico, sums up his delight in having been a Tellico Villager.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, son Matthew Kastner and his wife Wendy, daughter Deborah presney and her husband Scott, along with five beloved grandchildren Olivia, Kate, Christopher, Margaret, and Melanie, five equally loved nieces and nephews and their spouses, and by his countless friends in Tellico Village and across the country.

A memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church on August 19, 2025 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shepherd of the Lake, Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department, the Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, or the Public Library at Tellico Village.

Click Funeral Home & Cremations - Tellico Village Chapel is serving the family of Howard Kastner. www.clickfuneralhome.com