Howard S. Murns, a lifelong Sullivan County resident, passed away at his home in Cochecton, NY on Tuesday January 31, 2012. He was 72.

The son of the late Arthur and Mignonne Sanford Murns, he was born on November 6, 1939 in Monticello, NY.

He was a truck driver for RSR in Middletown, NY. He was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, a stock car owner and racing fan. He was a member of Lake Huntington Fire Dept., the Sullivan County Fireman’s Assn., the Sullivan County Fire Police Assn., the NYS Volunteer Fireman’s Assn.; the Cochecton Men’s Club, the Mongaup Valley United Methodist Church and a U.S. Navy Veteran serving from 1957 to 1963.

Survivors include his wife Edwina Burr Murns at home; son Curtis Murns and wife Denise of Kenoza Lake, NY; daughter Kelly Nober and husband Allan of Lake Huntington, NY; brothers William Murns and wife Janet of Mongaup Valley, NY, Eugene Murns and wife Misty of Spanaway, WA, Joel Murns and wife Linda of Middletown, NY and Raymond Murns and wife Judy of Mongaup Valley; sisters Jeanette Ross and husband William of Mongaup Valley and Darlene Cagle and husband Marvin of Oklahoma; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by brothers Edgar and Richard.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 4 at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, Kauneonga Lake with Rev. Kenneth Rodgers officiating. Firematic services were also held. Burial with military honors followed at VanKeuren Cemetery, Swan Lake, NY.

Contributions may be made to Lake Huntington Fire Dept., PO Box 352, Lake Huntington, NY 12752 or to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.