Obituary for Jack Steffen

Ponca City Now - November 25, 2018 9:01 am

Jack Earl Steffen

September 8, 1935 – November 25, 2018

Jack Earl Steffen of Blackwell, Oklahoma, passed away on November 25, 2018 in Integris Bass Memorial Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma, at the age of 83 years.

Jack Earl Steffen was born on September 8, 1935, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Harvey Tucker and Mable Edith (Reese) Steffen. He grew up in Nardin, Oklahoma, attending Deer Creek Public Schools, graduating from Deer Creek High School in 1953. Upon graduation, he continued his education at Northern Oklahoma Junior College for two years where he played quarterback for the Maverick football team. He completed his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, where he also played football. Following his education he married Carolyn C. Shipley on August 8, 1956, in Deer Creek, and they settled in Oxford, Kansas, where he began his teaching and coaching career. His love for teaching math and coaching took them to Lamont in 1962, Laverne in 1964, Hennessey in 1968, and Alva in 1970. In 1975 they moved to Blackwell to make their home where he continued to impact students through teaching and coaching until retiring in 1990. On February 26, 2007, Carolyn preceded him in death. After moving to the Pond Creek area in 2008, he became a member of the Pond Creek United Methodist Church and was involved in the Kairos Prison Ministry where he served as a volunteer and math tutor to prisoners.

He is survived by one son, Stan Steffen and wife Shelly of Edmond; two daughters, Lynne Field and husband Kent of Blackwell, and Kathi Shamburg and husband Greg of Enid; a brother, Doyle Steffen and wife Jackie of Blackwell; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Mehring and husband Roy of Midway, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Derek and Kaylee Steffen, Tyler, Tucker, Tanner, and Trever Field, Addi (Shamburg) Suenram and Foster Shamburg; three great grandchildren and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Marvin Ray Steffen.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 29th at the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell, with Rev. Cap Mcilnay officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin, Oklahoma.

Casketbearers will be Derek Steffen, Tyler Field, Tucker Field, Tanner Field, Trever Field, Foster Shamburg, Kent Field and Greg Shamburg. Honorary casketbearers will be Doyle Steffen, Ernie Fredrick, Paul Michaels, Tuffy Valentine, John Kidder, Jerry Kellum and Harvey Phelps.

A memorial has been established with the Kairos Prison Ministry in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, November 28th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.