Obituary of Howard Shartel

Howard A. Shartel (Austin), 86, Captain, USN Ret., of State College, Pa., passed away peacefully on January 13 after a long illness. Austin was born on May 7, 1928, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His parents were Elizabeth Austin and Stratton Shartel of Kansas City, Mo. Austin earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1950 and his master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He married Charlotte Lou (Charlou) Maroney who passed away in 1994. Austin was an active-duty pilot for 20 years, serving aboard the USS Randolph and the USS Wasp. While aboard the Wasp, he participated in the pick-up of astronaut John Glenn after Glenn's famous orbit of the Earth, and the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis later that year. Specializing in anti-submarine warfare, Austin flew both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft during his tours of duty at different locations in the United States and Europe. Austin's last tour of duty was serving as commanding officer of the Navy ROTC unit at Penn State University. His awards include the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Cuba; the National Defense Service Medal (twice received); the European Occupation Medal; and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. After his retirement, Austin earned his teaching license and taught Math at several high schools in the Centre County area. He was passionate about making a difference in the lives of his students. Austin is survived by a sister, Betty Smith of Wichita, Kan.; six children, including Howard A. Shartel, Jr., of Alexandria, Va.; Christopher K. Shartel of Norton, Mass.; Linda S. Wheeler of Arlington, Va.; J. Stratton Shartel of Springfield, Va.; Stephen J. Shartel of Springfield, Va.; and James A. Shartel of State College; and nine grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College, Pa. Burial will be later this summer at Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com