Laura A (Knuth) Steckler

Laura Anna Knuth Steckler, aged 89, of Daytona Beach, Florida, formerly of Newport, Pennsylvania and Dickinson, North Dakota, left her earthly home on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at the Halifax Hospice Center in Port Orange, Florida. 

Laura was literally born and raised in her childhood home in Bucks Valley where she also raised her own family.  After graduation from Newport High School in 1951, she briefly attended Eastern Illinois State University where her sister Arvilla was teaching.  She was an active member of Bucks United Methodist Church as well as church organist prior to transferring her membership to United Presbyterian of Daytona Beach where she became an Elder.  She was a former charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 364 Liverpool, PA.

Over the years, Laura was employed at various Perry County, PA restaurants and also worked at the former Kinkora Pythian Home.  For many years, she worked in the Auto Parts and Repair Center at the Capital City Mall Sears-Roebuck store.  During her time in Dickinson, ND, she worked in various retail stores.  Before she retired and moved to Florida, she worked for R. E. Smith and Son in Newport in various roles.

The daughter of John and Blanche Knuth, Laura was born in her childhood home in rural Newport.  Besides her parents, Laura was preceded in death by her second husband, James Steckler, Sr., sister and brother-in-law Lawrence and Arvilla Knuth Cline, son-in-law Oscar Campbell, Jr., and step-daughters Bonnie Sheaffer Ratcliffe (David) and Connie Sheaffer Smith (William).

She is survived by her six children, Robert Miller (sons Samuel and Lucas and 7 grandchildren); Albert Miller (Kathy) (sons Albert, Jr., Eric, and step-children Tina, Clint and Tracy Arbogast and 9 grandchildren); Amy Campbell (Companion Gregory Ivory) ( son Shane (Heather) Campbell and 2 grandchildren); Sharon Brodisch (John) (sons Jodie Meglio (Kathleen) and John Brodisch II and 3 grandchildren); Jill Seaman (Craig) (sons Joseph (Devin) and Keith and daughter Natalee (Gabe Sheaffer) and 5 grandchildren); and Betsy Webb (Michael) (son Jonathan Clay (Madelyn) and daughters Aaron Clay and Elizabeth LaFreniere (Brett) and step-children Allison and Chad Webb and 18 grandchildren) and her “foster son” Donald Longsderff (Tammy). 

Her life partner John T. “Ted” Sheaffer also survives as well as his daughters Theresa Crider (Stephen); Patti Shatto (Michael); Angela Faso (companion Dave) and their 9 children and 13 grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to give their last respects on September 9, 2023, at Bucks United Methodist Church, 270 Bucks Church Road, Newport, PA.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM followed by the funeral at noon.  Interment will be in the Bucks Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bucks United Methodist Church, c/o Tina Wright, 131 Limekiln Road, Newport, PA 17074

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