HOWARD: John E. Steen, Sr., 83, of Mill Rd. passed away peacefully Friday (Sept. 5, 2014) at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.
John was born November 19, 1930 in Geneva, to Thomas and Lola (Belcher) Steen. On November 10, 1950 in Panama City, FL. he married the former Doris J. Greene who survives and resides in Howard. He was predeceased by his parents, a son Patrick A. Steen in 2007 and two brothers: Thomas Steen, II and Paul Steen.
John was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1969 retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant. He had been employed at the former Westinghouse and North American Philips Lighting Companies in Bath from 1970-93 where he was a machine mechanic for 23 years. John was an avid outdoorsman who truly loved nature and everything it had to offer. He especially loved to hunt turkeys and bow hunting the whitetail deer. He was also an amateur HAM Radio operator and as an additional hobby loved to repair watches.
In addition to his wife of 63 years, Doris Steen of Howard, John is survived by two sons: John E. (Victoria) Steen, Jr. of Canisteo and Douglas (Krista) Steen of Cloquet, MN. Two daughters: Deborah (Daniel) Aldridge of Blacklick, Ohio and Diana Kidder of TN. He is also survived by two sisters: Mary Jane (Stanley) Lambert of Seneca Falls and Elizabeth (William) McClurg, of Akron and one brother: Richard Steen of National City, CA. 9 grand children, 6 great grandsons and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 pm Monday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo where funeral and committal services will take place immediately following calling hrs. at 4 PM. Private burial will be in Bath National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes contributions in John Steen, Sr.’s name be made to either Care First Hospice/Palliative Care, 11751 East Corning Rd. Corning, N.Y. 14830 or to the Howard Vol. Fire Dept. 3622 Cty. Rte. 70A, Avoca, N.Y. 14809.
Online condolences and memories may be made through hpsmithandsonfuneralhome.com.
