Stephen D. Brown, a resident of Lima, Ohio and Baylor’s Lake, Fleetville, and formerly of Scranton, died Tuesday in the Regional Hospital of Scranton after being stricken ill. His wife is the former Denise Barber. The couple would have been married 47 years on August 28th.
Born 1949 in Scranton, he was the son of the late Arthur W. and Elizabeth Sweetser Brown. Stephen was a graduate of Scranton Central High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education Degree from the University of Dayton. He served in the Pennsylvania National Guard 109th Infantry for seven years. Prior to his retirement he had been employed as a special education teacher at the Lima Senior High School for 30 years. During his time at Lima Senior High he served as a swimming coach and the assistant athletic director and was also a member of the Lima Education Association, the National Education Association as well as the Ohio Education Association and served on several committees with the organizations.
An avid sports fan, Steve loved the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins and Steelers, Penn State and IUP. He also enjoyed playing golf.
He is also survived by his brother Wayne of Lima, OH.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 26th at 6pm in the Vanston and James Funeral Home 1401 Ash St. Scranton by the Rev. William Sweetser, cousin.
Friends may call Thursday from 3pm until the time of service.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 2 from 5 – 7 PM at the K of C Hall, Cable Rd., Lima. At 6:30 a brief memorial will be conducted by Mike Mullen, with benediction by the Reverend Ted Bible of St. Mark’s Church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Sally Meredith Scholarship Fund c/o Lima Community Foundation PO Box 1086 101 N. Elizabeth St. Suite 509 Lima, OH 45802 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
To share a memory or to leave your condolences for the family please visit www.vanstonandjames.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to and are under the care and direction of Robert C. Jones, funeral director.
Pam Sinica
Enjoyed working with Steve for many years in the Athletic Dept. Really great guy and always had a good yarn to spin. Deepest condolences to Denise & Wayne. Love you guys
karen Ladden
Mr. Brown was one of the Best. He had a heart made of Gold. Always there for his student and school. My prayers go out to his wife Denise and his brother Wayne through this difficult time.
From the Laddens
Frank (Lois) Peppers
At this difficult time, may our friendship, sympathy and heartfelt condolences bring you comfort and we pray that God will grant you peace that you need to get through this.
Cindy (Hover ) Reynolds
So very sorry for your loss. My condolences to Denise and family
Patrick Heringhaus
My condolences on the death of my former swim coach and mentor. He and his Wayne played a big part in my swimming life. Thanks coach. You will be missed.
Bill Moore
My condolences to Denise and Wayne on the passing of Steve. A real stand up guy here, and friend to many at LSH. Always had a smile and a good word for anyone he met. I can say that I truly enjoyed any contact that I ever had with Steve, and he will be truly missed by many. RIP Steve.
Haddon Craftsmen Golf League
The Haddon Craftmen Golf League would like to express condolences to Steve’s family.
To honor Steve’s memory and friendship, the league has made a contribution on his behalf to The Sally Meredith Scholarship Fund. We will all miss Steve’s competitive spirit and comradery. Our prayers and thoughts are with Steve and his family during this difficult time.
Jonathan S Barr
Steve and his brother Wayne were my high school swim coaches. Steve always had a great disposition and a quick laugh, which made long practices easier to take. He was very easy going and was full of stories to make the long bus rides to swim meets more pleasant. I looked up to him as a mentor and appreciated all the time he devoted to these duties. We were a bunch of rowdy immature high school kids, but Steve always kept his cool with us.
I am very sorry to hear of his passing and express my deepest condolences to his wonderful wife Denise and all his family.
Dr. Morgan Stephen Boston
Steve is a life long friend. We shared many fun memories as “creekers” and enjoyed Steve retelling so many of those stories as we sat around the rock. I will miss him!!
Love and condolences to Denise and Wayne.
G S
So sorry Nisey. What a positive, good- will to all guy we have lost with Steve’s passing. Your time together was a wonderful life full of common interests and goals. Love Glenn
Bonnie & Jeff Barnes
Our deepest sympathy to Denise and Wayne. Steve’s kindness, wit and enthusiasm for life will be missed by all who knew him. What great memories we have that will remain in our heart. You are in our prayers during this difficult time.
George & Debbie Garber
I had the honor to teach , work with, and have the friendship of Steve and Denise for over 40 years! My wife, Deb, and I always enjoyed getting together with the Browns “clan” and retelling old stories and making up new ones. We send our heartfelt sympathies to Denise & Wayne. Steve MADE A DIFFERENCE in many lives through school, athletics, and life! He still lives in all of our hearts1
Steve & Sally CaJacob Family
It was an honest privilege to know Steve. He touched Our family through education, swimming and the Lima community. His contagious smile could light up any room and make the world better.
Tom and Jan Potter
Jan and I were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Steve. He was a good friend, and I really enjoyed being around him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. You have our sincere condolences and are in our prayers. May God bless you both, Denise and Wayne, at this difficult time.
Marjorie Castanien
Am deeply saddened to learn of Steve’s passing. I worked on several committees with Steve for NWOEA. He had a calming presence and a marvelous sense of humor. I’m sure he will be missed.
Tim Myers
Denise, Wayne,
My condolences on the passing of Steve. He was always a good teacher, coach, and NWOEA/OEA/NEA advocate. I had served on a number of committees with Steve and he was always passionate about the work he was doing.