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Bruce Houben Obituary
SMETHPORT, Pa. - Bruce A. Houben, 76, of Eldred, devoted husband, father and grandfather, passed away surrounded by his family, on Sunday (Nov. 2, 2025) at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport.
He was born Aug. 21, 1949, in Olean, N.Y., the son of Clifford and Mary Lloynes Houben. On July 4, 1986, in Eldred, he married Patricia E. Riley, who survives.
Mr. Houben was a 1967 graduate of Otto-Eldred High School and served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam.
Mr. Houben was a metal inspector, employed by Dresser-Rand of Olean, N.Y., before retirement.
He loved his fur babies. He loved gardening, hunting, golfing, canning and making sauerkraut.
In addition to his wife, Patricia, he is survived by three daughters, Trisha (Jeff) Douglas of Buffalo, N.Y., Danielle (Thomas) VanScoter of Eldred and Jennifer Carr of Roulette; three sons, Frederick (Sherry) Hepfer Jr. of Stow, Ohio, Duane (Sherri) Hepfer of Little Genessee, N.Y. and Leon (Jamie) Hakes III, of Eldred; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one brother, Wayne (Marie) Houben of Rixford.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
At Bruce's request, there will be no visitation or services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), or McKean County SPCA.
Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Houben
Sponsored by Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc. - Smethport.
2 Entries
Lola Stoughton
November 6, 2025
God bless you all with peace, comfort and strength on Bruce´s passing. I won´t see any more mooning jokes on facebook and I´ll miss that.
Ray Thompson
November 5, 2025
Sorry to read of Bruce's passing. Enjoyed working with him at Dresser. Condolences to the family
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Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc. - Smethport2 Bank Street, Smethport, PA 16749
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