Joel William Houser passed away peacefully in his home on January 10th, 2024 with his loving wife and his sister by his side.
Joel was born on January 29th, 1945, to the late William Houser and Darlyn Miller. He grew up in Reading PA and graduated from Mt. Penn High School in 1963. Joel would reflect often on his time in Reading and had many fond memories of living there. He then entered the United States Air Force where he trained in computer science. Joel came to greatly appreciate his time in the service for it helped him to grow and enabled him to attend college on the GI Bill. He graduated from Penn State University Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in English and completed his education at Carnegie Mellon University where he earned an MFA in playwriting. Joel married Kathleen Murray in Winchester, Virginia on August 20, 1973. They moved to Lincoln, Illinois where he was Director of Theater at Lincoln College. Joel and Kathleen then moved to Manhattan where he worked as a Consultant at Document Managing Group. Eventually they settled in the Williamsport area where he worked as an IT manager and Payroll Supervisor for 27 years. He served as a borough councilman in Salladasburg and also served in the Salladasburg Volunteer Fire Company before moving to Williamsport in 1998.
Joel loved and supported the theater and local music scenes. He often enjoyed dining out and listening to local musicians. He was well known throughout town for his humor and his kindness. When Joel spoke to you, he made you feel as if you were the only person in the room. His kind eyes and melodious voice put people immediately at ease. Joel was an avid Steelers and Yankees fan. He enjoyed nature and hiked weekly. He loved to swim and play basketball and tennis. In NYC Joel was always down for playground pickup games. Joel practiced Tai Chi Chuan from 1973 until 2021 when he was no longer able. He loved sticky buns, charades and B movies.
Joel was much beloved by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Kathleen (Murray), daughters Justine and Erin, and sons-in-law Bill Kilgour and James Breneman. Joel was known affectionately as Pop Pop to his three grandsons Logan and Sawyer Kilgour and Elijah Breneman. He is also survived by his loving sister Cindy Hunt, brother James Houser and sister-in-law Jan. “Uncle Joey” was well loved by his many wonderful nieces and nephews. Joel will be greatly missed by all and well-remembered for his intelligence, compassion and integrity.
Death does not conquer all, love does. Loves wins every single time. Love wins by lasting through death. Love wins by loving more, loving again, loving without fear.
“When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him lies on the paths of men.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to The COPD Foundation or The Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble.
Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with handling final arrangements. To share a memory or sign an online register book, please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com.
