December 25, 2011  

LOWVILLE, N.Y.  —  Harold Steria, 91, of East State Street, died Saturday morning, Dec. 24, at home under the care of Lewis County Hospice and surrounded by his loving family.

A graveside service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Croghan Mennonite Cemetery. 

The funeral will be was Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Naumburg Mennonite Church with Rev. Evan Zehr, Rev. Myron Roggie and Rev. Titus Mast, officiating.

Arrangements are with Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.

Harold was born Aug. 14, 1920, at home in Kirschnerville, N.Y., a son of the late Joseph and Helena Noftsier Steria. He attended country school in Kirschnerville and worked on area farms until his marriage.  

He married Doris Roggie on Feb. 16, 1943, at the Methodist parsonage in Carthage with Rev. W.K. Bradshaw, officiating.  

Together with his wife, the couple purchased a dairy farm on the Snell Road, and operated it until 1976, when they moved to their present home in Lowville.  He then operated heavy equipment for Lyndaker Excavating, Tug Hill Construction, and Green Island Construction Companies for 20 years, upon retirement.  

After retirement, he worked for Brookside Senior Living Community until 2009. He was also an adjuster for New York Mutual Aid Plan for 22 years.  

He also drove bus for Pine Grove Bible Church School in the 1970s and was commissioned to work at a mission church in Utica in the mid 1980’s.  For many years, he and his wife opened their home to many foster children.     

Mr. Steria was a member of Naumburg Mennonite Church , and a past member of the Lowville Mennonite Church, where he and his wife were active with the hospitality committee.  

He loved music, playing the harmonica, taking walks, being outside on the deck, listening to the birds.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving are his his wife of nearly 69 years, Doris; three sons, Richard Steria and his companion, Barbara Page of Hinsdale, N.H., Ronald and Patricia Steria of Lowville, Ralph and Laurie Steria of Glenfield; two daughters, Ruth (Sue) Wilkerson of Walden, Rose and Edward Carpenter of Dexter, a daughter-in-law, Patricia Steria of Boonville; a brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Grace Steria of San Diego, Calif.; 16 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, a great-great grandson; several nieces, nephews and cousins.  

He was predeceased by two sons, Randall J. in 1965, and Robert J. Steria, Sr. in 2010; five brothers, Ernest, Victor, Wilbur, Joseph Jr. and Walter Steria; six sisters, Mildred Widrick, Mable Zehr, Laura Zehr, Pearl Widrick, Mary Moser, and Margaret St. Louis.

Contributions may be made to Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY 13367 or Naumburg Mennonite Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 137, Castorland, NY 13620. 

Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.






Information provided by Iseneker Funeral Home of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.