|
Stephen J. ‘Steve’ Auker
March 7, 1950 - Dec. 5, 2017
Stephen J. “Steve” Auker, 67, Altoona, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Emery B. “Gus” and B. Louise (Gross) Auker. He was first married to Barbara Mallam, who preceded him in death on Oct. 7, 2012, and on Feb. 14, 2015, he married Cathy A. Reish.
Surviving are his wife, Cathy; two daughters: Julie (Michael) Blas of Apex, N.C., and Carolyn (Matthew) Kilgore of Red Lion; a stepdaughter, Heather McCulley; a stepson, Travis (Kristen) Stevenson; three granddaughters: Alexis Blas, Colleen and Mackenzie Kilgore; three step-granddaughters: Alicia and Courtney McCulley and Hanna Stevenson; and a step-grandson, Logan Stevenson.
Steve was a 1969 graduate of Altoona Area High School, and he served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam era. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He worked as a licensed practical nurse at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital, and he was formerly employed by Penn Central, Conrail and Norfolk Southern Railroads. He was also an outstanding greeter and assistant at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park.
He was a lifelong member of Wehnwood United Meth-odist Church, Altoona. He was a member of various clubs and organizations, including Juniata Gap Volunteer Fire Department where he once served as assistant chief, Newburg Volunteer Fire Department, the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, Coast Guard Sea Veterans of America, Coast Guard Auxiliary, National Guard Veteran Association, Blair County War Counsel, Vietnam Veterans of America, Murray-Appleman Post 147, Navy League of the United States, Blair County Veterans Honor Guard, Unter Uns, Bavarian Aide Society, Heidelberg Country Club, Horseshoe Cloggers, Lakemont Lions Club and Logan Lodge No. 490, and he was a past commander of the Jaffa Legion of Honor and a life member of the James L. Noble Post 3.
Steve was a past member of the American Reserve Nurses Corps and Citizens Emergency Response Team. He also volunteered at Van Zandt VA Medical Center, and he was an American Red Cross blood donor, receiving a 16-gallon pin for his donations.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park, where a Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday. Friends will also be received from
10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, at Wehnwood United Methodist Church, Altoona, Pastor Evelyn Madison officiating. Committal with military honors provided by the Blair County Veterans Honor Guard will be held at Alto-Reste Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wehnwood United Meth-odist Church, Lakemont Lions Club or to Jaffa Shrine Legion of Honor.
thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com http://www.altoonamirror.com/obituaries/2017/12/stephen-j-steve-auker/
|
Phillip Johns
Another one of us passes. Of all the people I have met in this world, you all, my high school classmates, are the ones I "grew up" with. (Now some would say not quite yet.) Some I can remember and actually still hear their voices. I personally always liked my friend Steve. We were not actually close but Steve for some reason or reasons, all positive, I can still hear your voice. Again as I have said for others of our group who have since passed, Steve I will miss you and my world is diminished for your leaving us. Steve Rest In Peace my friend, Phil
Timothy Ellis
Hard to believe we lost our Steve. No pun nor double entendre, Steve was larger than life. Our relationship started in 7th grade, Keith. It continued, lo this half century or more, to his passing. Last citing was at Barb's funeral where he was...Steve. The smile, the stories, the zest for life are the legacy he leaves us all. I trust he is free from the pain and discomfort that must have racked his body given the heinous nature of his disease. I further trust he will be one of the angels heralding the celebration of the Savior's birth this Christmas. Rest as peaceably as possible my friend...I'm confident you're making your presence felt.
Michael L Weamer
I don't usually comment, but the passing of Steve Auker was a surprise. If anyone is bigger than life, I always felt it was Steve. And, in truth he was! I still remember him dancing at reunions and Steve always had a smile and a hug for you even if he had not seen you in a decade. The next time we gather there will be a big void left by a wonderful person. I'm sorry I could not be there to celebrate Steve's life but will keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless!