Funeral Service for Paul E. Houck. | September 19

Sep 19, 2026 • Pastor Jess Felici, Pastor Jason Felici

The Funeral Service for

Paul E. Houck

March 12, 1939 + September 14, 2026

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord;

and let light perpetual shine upon him.

Paul E. Houck, 87, of Latrobe, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of his wife, daughter, dog, and cat, in his childhood home having returned there later in life. Born on March 12, 1939, in Latrobe, he was the son of the late William P. Houck and Anna Louise (Pohland) Houck.

Paul was a 1957 graduate of Latrobe High School, where he was a member of the football team. While some of its players lifted weights, Paul trained working at the family business, the former Pohland Brothers Lumber Co. He inherited the family traits of being an excellent craftsman and woodworker, building his own home and making countless other items for his family, church, and community.

A veteran of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era, Paul served in the Military Police, being deployed to the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba and the civil rights riots at the University of Mississippi when African American James Meredith enrolled in the all-white college.

Following his time in the service, Paul returned home and worked at Latrobe Steel for 42 years. Throughout the years, he also was employed at the former Latrobe Floral and NAPA Auto Parts.

Paul’s sense of service to his community was strong, serving as a life member of Latrobe Volunteer Fire Department, Companies No. 1 and 2, for 35 years and volunteering at the Westmoreland County Food Bank. Paul was also a member of the First Ward Fireman’s Club, American Legion Post No. 515, the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 01188, and the Frontier Club.

An active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Latrobe, Paul served his Church in many capacities. Throughout the years, he volunteered any way he could, singing in the chancel and funeral choirs, serving as a Deacon, Council member, and Property Committee member, where he painted much of the church and built the platform for the organ.

Paul loved music, singing in the Latrobe Community Chorus as well as the church choirs and earning the title of Karaoke King. Paul also was involved with the Ligonier Valley Players, participating in their Christmas shows and building sets for their many plays.

A car enthusiast, Paul enjoyed attending car shows and even restored a 1968 Mustang. Family time was most important to Paul whether it was sailing or vacationing on the beach, filling those moments with much laughter and joy.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his in-laws, Samuel A. Shust and Henrietta (Luttner) Shust; the mother of his children, Judith Houck; a niece, Cynthia Roberts; and several beloved pets, including Bandit, Smokey, Short-Stop, T-Bone, Cubby, Buffy, Harley, and Baxter.

Paul is the beloved husband of Kathe (Shust) Houck of Latrobe with whom he shared 38 years of marriage. He is also survived by one son, Brad Houck (Linda Pearson), of Cookeville, TN; one daughter, Melissa Brown (Shane), of North Bend, OR; four grandchildren, Steven Houck, Allison Houck, Anna Brown, and Shane Brown; two brothers, R. Chris Houck (Carol) of Hermitage, PA and William C. Houck (Sheri) of Sun City West, AZ; his in-law, Sandra Redinger of Latrobe and Scott Shust (Wendy) of Hamlin, NY; nieces and nephews, Corinne McIe (Dave), Kevin Houck (Eileen), Cheryl Maurer, Jayne Nordstrom (Tagg), Adin Houck (Lynda), Prairie Rose Burt (Zachary), Rona Heath (Chip), Wendy Rivard (Mark), Corey Polinsky (Chelsea), Cameron Shust (Jason Baptiste), and Sabrina Shust; nephew-in-law, Charles Roberts; several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; and his beloved pets, his dog, Maxwell P. Houck and the once-homeless-feline, Kitt Kat.

Paul’s family would like to extend a special thank you and their sincere appreciation to the staff of Independence Hospice, especially Amanda, Jackie, Chuck, Lori, Christy, and Angela, whose care and guidance brought peace to Paul and his family. Also, the family is thankful for the efforts of the doctors, residents, and staff at Latrobe Family Medicine, including Dr. Michael Semelka, Dr. Edoardo Frezza, Dr. Paul Ament, Diane Lape, and especially Dr. Daniel DiCola, for their kind, compassionate, and attentive care, without which Paul would not have enjoyed the quality of life he was able to for so long.

When someone dies, the church shares the grief of those who mourn and remembers the brevity of life here on earth. We give voice to sorrow, thank God for the life of our loved one, and entrust this companion of ours into the hands of God. Trusting in God’s promise in baptism that we are claimed by Christ forever, we rest in the sure hope of the resurrection.

Prelude: “God Will Wipe the Tears” Pishner

Gathering Hymn: “Lift High the Cross” ELW #660

Text: George W. Kitchin, 1827-1912; rev. Michael R. Newbolt, 1874-1956

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; 8 a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.

Psalm: “Shepherd Me, O God” ELW #780

Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950, based on Psalm 23

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:13-17

13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. 14 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard them as enemies, but admonish them as brothers and sisters. 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.

Gospel: John 14:1-7

The Holy Gospel according to John, the 14th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Hymn: “O God Beyond All Praising” ELW #880

Text: Michael Perry, 1942-1996

Choir Anthem: “Jesus Messiah” arr. Larson

Communion Hymn: “Borning Cry” ELW #732

Text: John C. Ylvisaker, b. 1937

Choir Anthem: “Song of Farewell” Joncas

Sending Hymn: “When Peace Like a River” ELW #785

Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888

Liturgy reprinted from “Evangelical Lutheran Worship”, copyright 2006 Augsburg Fortress, used by permission of license #SBT004670 and One License A-709549; Prayers are from “Sundays & Seasons”, copyright 2024 Augsburg Fortress. Introductions to the readings are written by The Rev. Mark Oldenburg, Ph.D., Steck-Miller Professor Emeritus of the Art of Worship, United Lutheran Seminary.

Trinity Livestream Designed and Produced by Dana Shannon