Jerome E. Steis

Jerome E. “Jerry” Steis, 83, of 1090 Windfall Road, St. Marys, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Penn Highlands Elk, with his family by his side.

He was born April 30, 1941, in St. Marys, son of the late Harry J. and Ruby Smith Steis.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1959, where he was the class president.  He continued his studies at Clarion University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree and later earned his Master’s Degree in Education at Penn State University.  Jerry had an impact on many young lives teaching for the St. Marys Area School District, where he ultimately retired in 2002.

On June 19, 1965, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Timothy celebrating, Jerry married Mary A. Gausman, who survives.  They were blessed to share 59 years of marriage.

In addition to his loving wife, Jerry is survived by a daughter, Paula (Jeff) Lechner of St. Marys; two sons: David Steis (Leslie Schmitt) of St. Marys and Robert (Rhea) Steis of Fort Wayne, IN; five grandsons: Jeremy (Ayanna) Lechner, Kyle (Savanna) Lechner, Jacob (Gabby) Lechner, Kaleb (Kelsey) Lechner, and Jonny Steis (Melody Neubert); two great-grandchildren: Kai and Asa Lechner, and looking forward to the birth of another one in December; a sister, Ruby Kirkland of Kersey; many nieces and nephews as well as honorary daughter, Tammie and grandson, Tamrat Snyder.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Florabelle Feldbauer and Sandra Walker; and two brothers: Harry Steis and Eugene Steis.

Jerry was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, president of the Jaycees, president of the St. Marys Area Teachers Association, and a past governor of the St. Marys Moose Lodge.  Teaching was his passion and hoped to touch his student’s lives in a positive way.  During his teaching career he was also the principal of the St. Mary’s Parish Religious Education program for twenty years.  He had an amazing sense of humor.  He enjoyed watching football, especially the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers, camping, and travelling.  There was nothing more special to him than his family, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 12:00PM with Rev. Thomas Curry, O.S.B., celebrating. 

There will be no visitation.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to Penn Highlands Community Nurses Memorial Fund, 757 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to the St. Marys Ambulance Services, 773 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.