Howard D. Briscoe

Howard Briscoe quietly passed away from natural causes on December 23, 2020, at Lakewood Assisted Living Home near Petersburg, Indiana. Howard was born in Milwaukee, WI, on May 9, 1928, to the late Lester and Blanche Briscoe. Howard would married Jane Anderson of Vincennes, IN, on November 25, 1953, who preceded him in death in 2016. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served in the Korean War. Following his graduation in 1946 from Petersburg High School, Howard received his undergraduate degree from Indiana State and his masters from Butler. He then would achieve his higher education requirements for school administration at Indiana University.

Howard and Jane had two children, daughter Teresa (Greg) and son Howard Brick Jr. (Marta). They then would go on to have four grandchildren: Matthew (Sun), Mark, & Megan Davis, and Emma (Curtis) Hedges and two great-grandchildren: Colton Davis and Georgia Hedges. A sister, Marcia Thomas, preceded him in death.

Howard was a pole vaulter on the track team at Indiana State. Following graduation, Howard would return to his hometown to live out his lifelong passion serving as a public educator. He was a science teacher and full-time coach, coaching, basketball, football, and track throughout the school year. He was the head coach when the school went from 8-man to 11-man football. This caused many late night meals at home and good memories for Teresa and Brick in “tagging” along to practices and games. During the 60’s, Howard was in charge of the Petersburg summer program and had the patience to often drive a bus load of children to swim at the Washington city pool. Later, he would play a very active role in the Kiwanis youth golf program.

After achieving his certification for administration, Howard would become principal at first, Otwell, then Winslow, and upon the opening of Pike Central, he would become the first principal at the new school in 1974. Upon serving as principal for several years he moved into the Corporation Office as Assistant Superintendent and then Superintendent of Pike County Schools, serving in that capacity for ten years until his retirement in 1993. However, Howard’s career in education did not end there as he would then work for Indiana University until age 80 to guide their students in Southwest Indiana through student teaching, further ensuring a future generation of passionate educators.

Howard was a member of the Petersburg Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge and Hadi Shrine, and the American Legion.

Outside of being a wonderful husband, father, teacher, coach, and administrator, Howard’s faith played an important part of his life. He was a lifelong member of the Petersburg First United Methodist Church and taught the men’s Sunday School class for years. Also, he was a very willing and capable lay speaker and often filled the pulpit on Sunday mornings at local churches.

Howard’s lifelong legacy was that he would influence many with his teaching, and his living example of grace and ease of conducting himself. You would never feel uncomfortable in his presence, unless you were his playing partner in golf, and his score would be so much lower than yours. He loved to play golf (to say the least); however, he played with the same grace and ease as he lived his life. He had a heartfelt passion to bring a golf course to Pike County, which would eventually come to reality at Pride’s Creek. He truly loved the Pride’s Creek Golf Course.

Due to the pandemic, there will be no public service, and a private graveside burial will be held at Walnut Hills Cemetery in Petersburg.

The family gives special thanks to the staff at Lakewood Home, special care provided by Ruth Ann Beasley, Dr. Gary Keepes, and AseraCare Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Petersburg High School Scholarship Fund and sent to Pike County Community Foundation, PO Box 587, Petersburg, IN 47567, or Pride’s Creek Golf Course, 1005 E Co Rd 400 N, Petersburg, IN 47567.

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