Donald Joseph Steppling, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on December 4, 2020 at his home in Warrington.
Don was born on July 13, 1929 in Lawrenceville, PA, where he attended Central Catholic High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He met his wife Catherine (Kitty) Butler of 69 years in Pittsburgh at a local dance and spent his life making her happy. Together they raised seven children, Ken, Karen (Dave) McKean, Patricia, Nancy (Larry) Ejzak, Linda Wirth, Carolyn (Greg) Palermo and Cindy (Rob) Lah in Allison Park, PA, before moving to North Carolina and ultimately to Bucks County, PA.
He will be welcomed into heaven by his beloved son, Ken and his son-in-law Gary Wirth, as well as by his parents, Anthony and Helen, three brothers and three sisters. In addition to his children, he leaves behind a sister, Anna Marie (Chuck) Staub, his brother-in-law Francis (Hoffy) Hoffman (Rita Butler), 11 grandchildren, Brad (Melissa) McKean, Tim (Jenna) McKean, Stephanie (Charlie) Bigelow, Zachary (Brooke) Ejzak, Tyler (Sierra) Ejzak, Shelton Wirth, Allison Wirth, Spencer (Maddy) Palermo, Mikala Palermo, Luca Lah and Helena Lah, five great-grandchildren, Miles, Max, Addilyn, Jack and Elliott, and more grand-dogs and cats than can be counted.
Don was a drafting engineer who worked on large public works all over the United States, including the Washington, D.C. subway, the Hoover Dam, and the Fort Pitt Tunnel in Pittsburgh. He loved handball, golf and the Steelers. He treasured spending time with his family, and the highlight of his year was the biannual reunion/vacation in North Carolina, which started with 17 people and blossomed into 35. His laugh was infectious and he welcomed every person like a future friend. He was always quick with a joke, a handshake and a scotch. He loved music; the morning of each of his daughter’s wedding he played and sang Going to the Chapel.
Don’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 11:30am The family will receive friends at the church from 10:15am until 11:15am, when words of remembrance will be begin. Internment at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, PA., will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Doylestown Hospital Hospice, www.doylestownhealth.org, 595 West State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 or Catskill Animal Sanctuary, www.casanctuary.org, 318 Old Stage Road, Saugerties, New York 12477.