Howard Faulkner

Howard Kenneth “Ken” Faulkner, Jr., age 74, of Millcreek, passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.
Ken was born in Erie on January 11, 1944, a son of the late, Jane Merton and Howard Faulkner, Sr. He was a 1962 Graduate of McDowell High School where he had been the Captain of the Football, Basketball and Baseball teams. Ken attended Kent State University and worked at the family business, Faulkner Metal. He also was employed at Erie Steel Products and founded his own business Kenmar Steel Contractors, LLC.
Ken was a member of the Erie Elks Lodge #67, Erie Maennerchor Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Lawrence Park Golf Club, and the Kahkwa Club and attended St. Jude Parish.
Family was the most important part of Ken’s life. He met his wife Mary Lou while they were in the 8th and 9th grade and he loved her unconditionally. His children and grandchildren meant the world to him and he attended all their school and sporting events. He always put others first and family and friends knew they could always depend on him.
Ken had a wonderful sense of humor, loved horses and riding, enjoyed listening to country music, watching Western movies (over and over) and taking cruises with his family. He loved Christmas, decorating his home inside and outside and enjoyed wrapping gifts.
Ken was an avid Notre Dame Football fan and was a part of a group of guys who went to every home game for 30+ years. Two high lights of his life were the games that he was invited to run out of the tunnel with the team and where he was invited to sit on the bench. Locally, he was very active with the McDowell “Chain Gang” (volunteering to work as a chain official for many home games) and coached Little Gridders Football for many years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Michele Faulkner.
Ken is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Lou Dashofy Faulkner; a daughter, Greta Elwell and her husband, Chris; two grandchildren, Daria and Caden Elwell: two brothers, Lee Faulkner and his wife Kim and Jay Faulkner and his wife Peggy. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Donna Stabile and her husband Tom. Ken, Mary Lou, Donna and Tom shared a special bond since they shared a double wedding ceremony. Many nieces and nephews further survive.
Ken and Greta became very close, as she knew she could lean on her dad. They did a lot of father-daughter activities and it helped their relationship grow; he was her rock. Together they enjoyed viewing Daria and Caden’s sporting events, relaxing in Greta’s pool, watching movies together, and listening to Mary Lou’s political comments. As Ken’s health declined, he could depend on Greta to be there hour after hour, day after day, week after week until the very end; Greta in turn, became his rock.
Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, (at Powell Avenue) on Sunday from 3:00 until 6:00 pm and are invited to attend a service there on Monday at 10:00 am with Rev. Jason Feigh officiating.
Memorials may be made to the West Ridge Fire Department, 3142 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506 or the University of Notre Dame Equestrian Club Attn: Janice Tabb, 319 Duncan Student Center, Notre Dame, IN 46656.