HOWARD – Loyal, wise, driven and genuine, Steve Schlosser was the epitome of a family man, and lived his entire life reinforcing that on a daily basis. Stephen J. Schlosser, 63, of Howard, was called to be with the Lord on Nov. 23 at Ohio Health Mansfield following a brief illness, surrounded by his family.
On April 16, 1976, Steve’s steadfast personality landed him a date with the Love of his life and Best Friend, Jill Hughett Schlosser. Steve married Jill on Dec. 22, 1979, and spent the rest of his years being madly in love with her while raising, teaching, loving and guiding their three surviving sons: Matt (Kasey) Schlosser, Ryan Schlosser, and Adam (Sarah) Schlosser. Steve and Jill were married 41 years, 11 months.
Steve attended Clear Fork High School and graduated with the Class of 1976. After graduating, Steve pursued his passion of heavy equipment by enlisting in the United States Navy Seabees, serving 2 years Active Duty and 4 years Reserve Duty. He earned an honorable discharge in 1982. Steve began his career in 1979 as a heavy equipment mechanic at Mansfield Asphalt, now Shelly & Sands. Playing a vital role in building quality roadways throughout Ohio, he was able to work his way through the ranks and eventually retire from Shelly & Sands as the Equipment Superintendent in April of 2018.
Steve enjoyed over 3 years retirement with Jill. They spent a couple winters in Florida before realizing they would rather be in Ohio near family and watching their grandchildren play sports. Well known around the family households as “PaPaw,” Steve also turned out to be a very well-mannered Uber driver to his van load of grandkids that he loved to watch participate in sporting events, and spent countless hours chauffeuring to sporting practices and games. His nine grandchildren, Makaylia, Lukas, Blake, Landon, Kaiden, Addison, Alex, Greyson, and Blake were the light of their PaPaw’s life.
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Steve is survived by his parents Stephen Robert and Phyllis Ann (Letizia) Schlosser, Mother-in-Law Phyllis Hughett, sister Julie (Randy) Doup, brother-in-law Steve (Shelley) Hughett, and numerous nephews and nieces. Steve was preceded in death by his brother Thomas Schlosser, father-in-law Marv Hughett, grandparents Joseph and Betty Schlosser and Carl and Mary Letizia.
Steve loved Jesus and served Him with all of his heart. He attended Lifepoint Church Mount Vernon, serving faithfully on the Connections Team and Backpacks of Hope project. Steve was passionate about the Backpacks of Hope mission project. The mission provides food to Mount Vernon school children identified by school officials as likely to go hungry over the weekend without help. Steve assisted in unloading food, packing bags and delivering them to the schools to be distributed to the children.
A memorial gathering will be held Monday, Nov. 29, from 5-7 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where Steve’s Celebration of Life service will begin at 7 p.m. Pastors Bill Pursel and Patrick Bailey will officiate. Services will conclude, outside, on the funeral home grounds with military honor performed by the Bellville American Legion Post #535.
Donations in honor of Steve’s memory can be made by selecting BACKPACKS OF HOPE through this link: https://lifepointmv.churchcenter.com/giving.
Online condolences are encouraged by visiting SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
