Howard W. Braatz, 92, of Harlansburg Road, passed away the morning of May 23, 2017 at UPMC Jameson. Born April 13, 1925 in New Castle, he was the son of Herman and Hazel Jones Braatz. Howard is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Louise Pink Braatz, whom he married October 4, 1947. A 1942 graduate of New Castle High School, he served his country in the US Army Air Corp during WWII. He was employed with Pennsylvania Engineering as a pattern maker until his retirement in 1988. Howard was a member of the Mahoning New Castle Lodge, #243, the New Castle Consistory Legion of Honor, Valley of New Castle 32 Degree Free Masons. He was a member of New Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, William (Shirley) Braatz of Highland, MI, and Richard Braatz of New Castle; seven grandchildren, Jesse (Stephanie) Braatz of Highland, MI, Robert (Karla) Fedrizzi of New Castle, Kristin (Bill) May of Holly, MI, Travis (Angie) Braatz of Cresson, PA, Evie (Mike) Masello of New Middletown, OH, Cynthia (Chris) Pry of Wexford, PA and Andrea Fedrizzi of New Castle; thirteen great-grandchildren, Payton Lewis and Andrew Braatz, Emilee and Colton Fedrizzi, Erin, Billy and Dahlia May, Ava and Aiden Braatz, Bryce and Brock Masello, and Derek and Joshua Pry; one brother, Herman (Betty) Braatz of New Castle; three sisters, Reva Stock of Winter Haven, FL, Dorothy Clymer of Guthrie, OK, and Shirley Sines of New Castle; one sister-in-law, Helen Braatz of New Castle; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, James Braatz and a daughter, Susan Fedrizzi, and one brother, Norman Braatz. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle. A funeral service will take place immediately following the visitation at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Chris Curtis officiating. Burial will be in Castle View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Jameson Hospice of Lawrence County, 1211 Wilmington Avenue, New Castle, PA 16105 or the American Heart Association, Great Rivers Affiliate, Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693. Online condolences and memories to share of Howard may be offered at www.cunninghamfh.com.