Kermit Lee Hower, 89, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved him.
He was born on April 8, 1937, in Womelsdorf, PA, the son of the late Rufus and Beatrice Hower. Kermit is survived by his wife, Nancy (Wolfe) Hower, with whom he would have shared 63 years of marriage in August; daughter, Susan, wife of Michael Domarasky; son, Kyle, husband of Jennifer; and cherished grandchildren, Ella and Lucas Domarasky. He was preceded in death by his son, Eric, in 2004.
Kermit was a graduate of Myerstown High School and Millersville University, where he played soccer and baseball. He was a retired teacher of 35 years, 30 with the Lebanon School District. Upon his retirement, he received many letters from former students thanking him for his encouragement and advice that had stayed with them throughout their lives.
He carried that same devotion on the field as an American Legion Coach for 13- to 15-year-olds in baseball. Kermit believed that how a young person carried themself mattered as much as the final score. He made certain that every child he coached arrived at game time properly dressed and ready to play, teaching them pride, dignity, and respect for the game and for themselves. That earned him a reputation that endures and a place in the Pennsylvania Lebanon County Central Chapter Sports Hall of Fame. Disciplined to the last, he worked out at the Lebanon YMCA every day after school for decades and never let the habit go in retirement.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11 a.m., at Grose Funeral Home, 358 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown, preceded by a viewing beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Grand View Memorial Park, Lebanon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lebanon County YMCA, please visit lebanon.recliquecore.com/donate; or the Myerstown Community Library, please visit myerstown.lclibs.org/support-your-library.
