Howard H. Rathbun

Howard H. Rathbun,  beloved father and grandfather

CHRYSTAL, Pa. - Howard H. Rathbun, 88, a lifelong resident of Chrystal, passed away Saturday (Feb. 14, 2026) in Cuba Memorial Hospital, Cuba, N.Y., after a short illness.

Born Saturday, June 12, 1937 in Olean, N.Y., he was a son of Ernest and Margaret Hull Rathbun. On Dec. 31, 1958, in Arlington, Va., he married Melanie "Mel" Voorhees, who passed away Dec. 14, 2019.

Howard was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse.

He was employed by the former Dresser Rand in Olean for 35 years, where he was a member and financial secretary for the Steelworkers Union. He was also a co-owner of Rathbun Farm Maple Products in Chrystal.

He was a member and former president of the Chrystal Cemetery Association and was a former director of the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers, a former director of the Potter County Fair Association, a former director of the Potter County Livestock Committee and a former school board director of the Oswayo Valley School Board in Shinglehouse.

Howard enjoyed hunting and bird watching.

Surviving are a daughter, Paula (Gerald) Weber of Shinglehouse; a son, Howard S. "Duffy" (Ann Marie) Rathbun of Chrystal; six grandchildren, Forrest Rathbun, Emily (Kabel) Kellogg, Paul (Emily) Rathbun, Sally (Kendal) Karr, Stephanie Good and Rachel Rathbun; 11 great-grandchildren, Karter, Wyatt and Anna Kellogg, Jake and Lily Rathbun, Landry Karr, Melanie Scutt, Tanner Good and Claire, and Audrey and Barrett Rathbun; a nephew, Gregory Shemeld; and two nieces, Pamela Shemeld and Brenda Kasztelan.

In addition to his parents and wife, Howard was predeceased by an infant son, John Hull Rathbun; and a sister, Mary Sue Shemeld.

Family and friends may gather from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Feb. 17, 2026) at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 S. Union St. Shinglehouse.  Funeral services will be private. The Rev. Russell J. Horning, of Shinglehouse, will officiate.  Burial will be in Chrystal Cemetery, Chrystal.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Howard's name may be made to the Potter County Fair Association, c/o Marsha Prince, 1151 Eleven Mile Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; or to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.

Howard's family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Howard, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.