John Steckman

Obituary photo

John Richard Steckman
04 Dec 1938 - 07 Apr 2009

Clubs & Associations

Quick Facts

on the IAGSDC convention caller staff at
- Touch A Quarter Century
John's profile on ceder.net

Obituary

John R. Steckman, 70, of 1535 Brighton Road, Ellwood City (North Sewickley Township), died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Mountain Vista Hospital in Mesa, Arizona, where he maintained a winter residence.

He was born in Ellwood City on December 4, 1938 to the late John C. “Jack” Steckman and Ruth I. Stratton Steckman.

John was a third generation memorialist and owner of Steckman’s Memorials. John’s life passion was square dancing. He was a well-traveled professional square dance caller in the United States and Canada and was a member of the International Association of Square Dance Callers. John was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a Military Police officer. He was a Lincoln High School graduate, class of 1957.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas L. Steckman, in 1951; his father, John C. Steckman, in 1975, and his first wife, Kathleen McKim Steckman, in 1996.

John is survived by his wife, Joan Karch Steckman, whom he married December 12, 1998; his mother, Ruth, and by two sons and daughters-in-law, J. Scott (and Kim) Steckman of Hookstown PA, and Patrick J. (and Casey) Steckman of Chippewa Township, PA.

He is also survived by one brother and three sisters: Charles K. “Kip” Steckman of Renfrew, PA; Sherry (and Vince) Perciavalle of Beaver, PA; Patty (and Fred) Konyak of Ellwood City; and Peggy (and Larry) Haswell of Wampum, PA.

John was a proud grandfather of five grandsons: Shane, Dustyn, John Patrick, Evan, and Chad Steckman, and one great-grandson, Austin Steckman.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2009, and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in the TURNER FUNERAL HOME, Sixth Street at Park Avenue, Ellwood City, www.turnerfh.com. A service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at 4 p.m. at Turner’s. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Anthony Peccon of the Cornerstone Christian Center.

Entombment will be in Locust Grove Cemetery Mausoleum, North Sewickley Township.

Memorials may be made in John’s name to the Locust Grove Cemetery Memorial Flagpole Fund, 1565 Brighton Road, Ellwood City, PA 16117.^[1]

Remembrances

Some of you may have already heard this news that I just received. John Steckman (from PA) passed away on Sunday while out in Arizona. Some of you may have danced to him while attending TAQC last summer. This is a huge blow to the challenge community in the NE Ohio/Western PA area. John was one of the few Challenge callers still remaining in this area. He also had been a big support and friend to the Cleveland City Country Dancers club. He will be severely missed by many.

— Michael Spayd, CCCD ^[2]