Howard Marion Potter

Howard M. Potter of 162 Mill Street, Cooperstown, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 9th at 8:30 a.m.Mr. Potter was born February 20th, 1930, in Oil City, the son of Howard and Hilda Lewis Potter. A committed Christian, he was raised in the Kennerdell Church of God, and was a member of the First Church of God in Franklin since 1956.Howard was married on January 22, 1971, to Beverly Boughner Potter, who survives.A graduate of Rockland High School, Mr. Potter received his B.S. degree from Drexel Institute of Technology. He also received training at the U.S. Army Finance School, and the PA Banker's Trust Training School at Bucknell University. He had served in the U.S. Army Finance Corps, being stationed stateside, as well as in Heidelberg, Germany. After working in Philadelphia and New York City, he was employed at Integra Bank for 35 years, retiring as Vice President in 1992. He also served as Executive Director of the Franklin Hospital Foundation.Mr. Potter had been treasurer of Grove Manor, a non-profit corporation, and played a significant role in the establishment of The Caring Place in Franklin. He also was treasurer of the Christian Loving Fund; served on the Administrative Council of the West Pennsylvania Conference, now known as the Allegheny Region Conference; and on the General Conference Pension Board of the Churches of God. An active churchman, he had been Elder and Board President at the First Church of God in Franklin.Those surviving, along with his wife, Beverly, are two children: a daughter, Jacqueline Sue Laing, and a son, Jeffrey W. Potter and his wife, Cheryl, both of Franklin.Mr. Potter leaves five grandchildren, Jeremy W. Potter; Joel S. Potter and his wife, Jennifer; Josie Lynne Burk and her husband, William; Gretchen C. Artz and her husband, Timothy; and Kelly M. Roberts and her husband, Richard. Also surviving are two great-grandsons, Gage Alton Roberts and Jacob Wade Potter; and one great-granddaughter, Brooklynne Bell Burk. He is also survived by twin brothers, H. Forest Potter and James F. Potter; along with nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister Alice "Catherine" Potter.Friends will be received on Sunday, July 12th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 13th at 11:00 a.m. at The Caring Place with Pastor James R. Leichliter, pastor of the First Church of God in Franklin, officiating.Interment will follow in the Cooperstown Cemetery.The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Loving Fund, PO Box 1055, Franklin, Pennsylvania 16323.To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, friends and family are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com