Memoriam

C. Joseph Steinour – LBG #80

C. Joseph Steinour, faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Good Friday at home. Joe was born in Gettysburg on May 25, 1929, to Clarence and Marie Steinour. He attend St. Francis Xavier School and Delone Catholic High School, where he met the love of his life, Jean Sneeringer Steinour. Jean and Joe were married on September 9, 1950, and had seven children. Joe worked as a mail carrier for 40 years. He was much beloved by his customers. Joe also worked as a Battlefield Guide for 43 years. He loved the opportunity to share his knowledge of his hometown with people from across the country and around the world. His family loved hearing stories about the famous people he met during these battlefield tours. Joe was a life-long student of history and had a curious and inquisitive mind. He read constantly and looked forward to speaking with people who could deepen his knowledge and understanding. He relished every opportunity to engage in conversations about the multitude of topics that interested him, from World War II history, to aviation, to how everyday objects were made. Joe was a wonderful conversationalist. He both loved telling and hearing stories. He had that rare and wonderful quality of listening with interest and empathy, and making you feel as if talking with you was the most important thing he was doing that day. Joe was a true gentleman, a man among men, and had a kind and gentle spirit. Joe was a life-long member of St. Francis Xavier Parish. Along with his wife, Jean, he sang in the Church Choir. He was a volunteer for the Special Olympics and the Habitat for Humanity. Joe is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean Sneeringer Steinour, his daughter Anne Steinour Laughlin, of Gettysburg, his son-in-law William F. Coston III, of Gettysburg, his son Dr. William Steinour and daughter-in-law Suzanne Steinour, of Gettysburg, his daughter Rebecca Thomas and son-in-law Pete Thomas, of Gettysburg, his daughter Mary Beth LeVan and son-in-law James LeVan, of East Berlin, Pennsylvania, his daughter Carol Steinour Young and son-in-law Bob Young, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 12 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren. His daughter, Susan Steinour Coston, son John Steinour, and brother Mark Steinour predeceased him. Joe was dearly loved and cherished by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 7, at St. Francis Xavier Church on High Street (the historic church) at 11:00 AM. There will be a viewing at the church from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Special Olympics – Adams County, 37 Bittern Drive, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Online obituary and condolences available at monahanfuneralhome.com.

Joe was licensed in 1957 and served off an on through the late 1980’s when we turned in his badge. It was reissued around 1989 and he continued to guide for some years.

In Memory of …