Benny E. Howe, Sgt. Maj., U.S. Army, Retired, 84 of the Hilldale section of Plains, Twp., passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Plains, Twp.

Born in Persia, Iowa, he was the son of the late Frank and Leona (Long) Howe.

He was a graduate of Persia High School, class of 1948, and enlisted in the United States Army that December. Benny was a career serviceman serving his country during the Korean and Vietnam wars, retiring as a Sergeant Major of the Army in 1969. After his retirement, he was employed by Potlatch Corporation of Ransom as a traffic manager, by Valley Distributing and Storage of Laflin, as manager, and last by Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Benny was an avid hunter and fisherman and was past president of The Four Poplars Hunting Club, Colley, PA. He was also an avid golfer.  Benny played professional baseball with the Cleveland Indians minor league team prior to his enlistment in the army and was a sports writer during his time in the army, reporting on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.  To this day, they are still his favorite teams.

He was preceded in death by his wife the former Bernadine Ferenchick on February 27, 2003, and his brother Bernie Howe.

Surviving are his children Kevin Howe and his wife Joellen, Nanticoke, Brian Howe and his wife Chrissy, Wilkes-Barre, and Kimberly Howe, Plains, grandsons Jake and Mikey Howe, several nieces and nephews.

Benny’s family would like to thank the staff of the Intensive Care Unit and 6 East at Geisinger Wyoming Valley for their wonderful and compassionate care of their father.

Funeral will be held Saturday, September 6, 2014, at 9:00 am from the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street  Plains, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am in SS. Peter & Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road  Plains, with Father John Boyle, Pastor, officiating.  Interment with Military Honors will be held in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton section of Wyoming.  Friends may call Friday evening from 5 to 8 pm at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the SPCA Of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.