Col. Howard C. “Hod” Housel, 98 of Hackettstown, NJ passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover, NJ surrounded by his loving family. Born March 27, 1918 in Phillipsburg, NJ, Howard was the son of the late Edgar R. & Myrtle Gardner Housel.
Hod proudly served his country in the United States Army. A career veteran, Col. Housel served in the Army for almost 39 years beginning in 1939. Of his many accomplishments in the service, he was most proud to have served in General Patton’s third army and having fought in the Battle of the Bulge and Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion. In addition, Hod was issued a rare “Battlefield Commisssion” in Krefeld, Germany to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Division. He was also the recipient of Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor. In all, he was the recipient of over 25 Medals and Military Decorations during his most impressive career from which he retired in 1978.
Col. Housel remained very active in his community and was a proud member of Musconetcong Lodge #42 F. & A.M in Budd Lake, NJ having served as Past Master of the former Independence Lodge # 42, Hackettstown, NJ, Past Grand Chaplain, State of NJ, Past Grand Tall Cedar of the Warren County Chapter 14, Past District Deputy of the Tall Cedars and the Past President of the National Sojourners Association. He was also a member of the American Legion Blueridge Post #164 and the V.F.W. of Hackettstown, NJ.
Hod is survived by two children, a son Pat Housel and his wife Sharon of Macungie, PA and a daughter Lynda Statler and her husband Fred of Hackettstown, NJ. Five loving grandchildren, Jason, Jessica, Brett, Doug & Alicia as well as six great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Marion McNamara Housel and a sister, Doris “Pinky” Wydner.
Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ, 07840. Funeral Services will be Thursday at the funeral home beginning at 10:00am. Interment will be at the South Easton Cemetery, Easton, Pa. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Col. Housel’s name. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.cochranfuneral.com.
Condolences:
The McElnea Family - Otter Lake
#23
July 22nd, 2016 6:58 pm
It is with great sadness that we learned of the Colonel's passing. He will be missed by all here at Otter Lake Campground, PA. Our deepest condolences. Barbara, Stan, Danny, Patty, Carole and Stan McElnea.
Pat Housel
#22
July 22nd, 2016 6:44 am
I want to thank each and everyone of you for the the all the great comments and condolences for my father's passing.
Regards...
Bill & Abby Conforti
#21
July 21st, 2016 5:06 pm
Lynda,Pat and Family. So sorry to hear of the passing of the Colonel. He was truly an American hero and I am honored to have known him. Our prayers are with you. God Bless
LTC Frank Carmody USA Ret.
#20
July 21st, 2016 11:15 am
Rest in peace. COL Housel was the epitome of an Officer and a gentleman. I first met him as an MP 2LT and he was a brigade OX and I was handling the movement of vehicles. Then, several years later he interviewed me and I was chosen to be the HQ Company commander of the DISCOM. He took me under his wing and guided me through my first command. I never forgot his teachings and throughout my military career I used his example to guide me. He is the prime example of this country's Greatest Generation.
NC 112th FA Association
#19
July 20th, 2016 6:37 pm
COL Housel was a Great Soldier who served his country with the majority of his adult life. Even after retiring, he continued to be remain active with many
Retiree Military organizations. We extend our condolences to his Family. May you rest in peace, Hod and hope we can meet up again in Fiddler's Green. God Bless.
Bill Schmeal
#18
July 20th, 2016 1:23 pm
I considerate it a pleasure and privileged to have known and served with Colonel Hod.
I am Sending my deepest condolences and prayers to the family
Rachel and Frank Brock
#17
July 20th, 2016 11:34 am
Our prayers are with the family of the
Lieutenant Colonel (USA-Ret) Bill Kale
#16
July 20th, 2016 9:20 am
Colonel Housel was a good soldier who served his country selflessly for many years. He was a great resource of the history of the 112th FA during World War II. He has been a good friend of the National Guard Militia Museum of NJ whose mission is to tell the stories of men like Colonel Housel. We greatly appreciate his service and sacrifices and will miss him.
Timothy& Linda Meeker & Danielle
#15
July 20th, 2016 8:18 am
We have been seasonal at OtterLake for 38 years and have known "The Colonel" since he started camping. He loved to
Go to the store in the morning and have coffee and share his stories with everyone. He was a great man and will be sadly missed by all. Sympathy to the entire family...
Tim, Linda and Danielle
Dave Anderson
#14
July 20th, 2016 5:29 am
Hod and spent many pleasant hours sharing stories with me of his life and special times with family and friends. He relished those memories as we paged through his photo albums. My life changed for the better having spent time with him. My prayers for all those touched by his life and feel the sense of lose as I do. A pleasure to have served him and his family. Peace be with the Housel Family.
CHICK AND LINDA DIMICELI
#13
July 19th, 2016 7:13 pm
Our condolences to Lynda and Fred and family.Hod will be missed he was one of the real Hackettstown people.Our family go back a long time with Hod.He gave me a hunting test when I was ten yrs. old.He lived a great life.God bless
Lew/Gail Richards and Family
#12
July 19th, 2016 6:04 pm
LYNDA AND FAMILY, PAT AND FAMILY--OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY
ON THE LOSS OF GREAT MAN.HE DESERVED EVERY AWARD HE RECEIVED.ALWAYS ENJOYED HIS COMPANY AT THE ARMORY,THE MASONIC LODGE AND THE TALL CEDARS AND HIS INTERESTING STORIES.---LEW/GAIL RICHARDS AND FAMILY
Lashel Barrett
#11
July 19th, 2016 4:50 pm
Pat, so sorry to hear of your Father's passing.
My Condolences to you and your family.
Richard Cannell
#10
July 19th, 2016 3:06 pm
Pat & Linda, my sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. Your father helped guide me very early on as a young man in the very early sixties. We were just young kids, and when your father detected to much fun going on in and around his pool, he let us all know about it; He had no problem threatening me, my brother, Steve, and of course Pat & Linda. Your dad was my teacher, when I went for my gun certification when I was 14, in 1962 or 1963. I know my parents called your mom and dad friends as we were as well.
Rest in Peace Colonel Housel ("Hod")
Richard Cannell and family
Bill and Barbara Roberts
#9
July 19th, 2016 1:52 pm
Linda, Fred, Pat, Sharon, and the kids - We were saddened to hear of Hod's passing. Hod holds a special place in our hearts. Through his friendship with Bill's dad, our lives were enriched by knowing all of you. We have many happy memories of times spent with the Housels and the Stadtlers.
Our deepest sympathy in your loss.
Audrey DeVries
#8
July 19th, 2016 8:54 am
Dear Housel Family: I had the pleasure of knowing the Colonel at Otter Lake. I enjoyed listening to many stories that he would share. Also he was the photographer at Otter Lake and many times would stop at mom's trailer with an envelope full of pictures he had taken of all of us. He will surely be missed at Otter Lake. My sincere condolences. Audrey DeVries
Joseph Russo
#7
July 19th, 2016 8:54 am
I met Colonel Housel at a 112th Field Artillery Reunion Dinner, about 5 years ago. Upon entering the Armory, I slowly ambled around finally arriving at a round table with only one person sitting there. I asked if I might join him. He nodded and miles yes. Introduced myself, and he did likewise. My wife soon joined up. THAT CONSTITUTED A GREAT MOMENT IN MY LIFE! Conversations all through the evening. I was transfixed with Colonel Housel's accounts of WWII, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Arracort (biggest night time tank battle in US History) I wish I could remember all of his experiences. Christmas Eve 1944 in a farmhouse in Luxumborg with the German soldiers all around. Playing Silent Night, Germans kept saying "More music GI", and Arrocort where he fired his M4 Sherman Tank 30 cal Machine Gun so long, it had to be sledge hammered out of it's mount to change the barrel. I love him, we all do. He'll never die, and we will meet again.
Rocky Hadzovic
#6
July 18th, 2016 5:12 pm
R.I.P. my friend!!! My deepest condolences to the entire family!
Rocky Hadzovic
Nick & Connie Bencivengo
#5
July 18th, 2016 3:25 pm
Our deepest sympathy in the passing Col. Hod Housel, he will be missed by everyone who came in contact with him! Rip Col.
Paul & Robin Wallace
#4
July 18th, 2016 1:09 pm
Dear Housel Family
Hackettstown has lost another of its great citizens in the passing of Colonel Housel, but saddest of all is you all have lost a Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather.
May the LORD who alone can comfort grant you comfort during this period of mourning.
God Bless
Paul & Robin Wallace
Mr. & Mrs. James Oleszek
#3
July 18th, 2016 12:50 pm
All love and strength to Hods family at this impossible time of grief. A true American hero may have passed, but that true American hero will never be forgotten. Our deepest condolences. Jim & Linda Oleszek
Joy and Les Snyder
#2
July 18th, 2016 12:34 pm
It is with a very heavy heart that we learned of the passing of our longtime friend, "Hod"..He was a icon in the Hackettstown Community as well as a decorated serviceman during WW11...Les and I loved that man and he will be very much missed...Sincere Sympathy to the entire family. Joy and Lester Snyder
Helen Eadie
#1
July 18th, 2016 12:29 pm
Pat and Sharon and family so sorry to hear the passing of your father and grand father. He sounded like an amazing man. Wish I could of met him. Love, Bob and Helen Eadie
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