Howard L. "Butch" Brunell Jr.

Howard L. "Butch" Brunell, Jr., 81, of Waynesburg, passed at 8:25 p.m. Sunday, October 19, 2025, in UPMC Greene in Waynesburg. He was born April 11, 1944, in Wellsville, N.Y., a son of the late Howard L. Brunell, Sr. and Bertha Schollenberger Brunell. Butch graduated from Cattaraugus High School Class of 1961, where he received the award for most outstanding student athlete. He got his B.S. degree in 1966 from Salem College, where he double majored in Physical Education and History. He completed his M.S. degree in Physical and Safety Education at West Virginia University in 1969. His first teaching position was in Conotton Valley High School, where he taught for two years before beginning teaching in Central Greene in 1968, teaching Social Studies. In 1970, when the new building at the Waynesburg Central High School opened, he taught physical education, swimming, CPR, first aid and health for many years retiring in May 2000. He coached cross country and track at Waynesburg Central High School and continued coaching track and field until just this past Saturday. As a pole vaulting coach, he helped produce many regional and state qualifiers and champions over the span of 50 years. He was in the Greene County sports Hall of Fame and received the WPIAL Outstanding Achievement award. Everyone who knew him...loved him. He was an amazing husband, dad, pap-pap, brother, coach and mentor to so many during his lifetime. His wife of 56 years, Janice Graham Brunell, whom he married June 7, 1969, survives. Also surviving are one son, Jeremy and wife Leighanne Brunell of Waynesburg; two grandsons, Jackson and Tanner Brunell of Waynesburg; one sister, Sally and husband Doug Fancher of Basom, N.Y.; one brother-in-law, Jim and wife Duyen Graham of Ranson, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are his siblings, Jeanne Vossler, Dick Brunell, Edith Kay Billhimer and Nancy Lee Noble. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, in the Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home, Inc., 197 North Maiden Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370, Shane M. Ayers, managing director, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 23, with the Rev. William Sukolsky officiating. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Waynesburg Central High School, 30 Zimmerman Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370, c/o Waynesburg Track and Field Boosters. Photos and condolences can be expressed at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com