Ruth Steiner

Ruth A. Steiner, age 101, of Erie, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2014.

Born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, on April 24, 1913, the daughter of the late James Linhart and

Mary Steel Horning.

She was primarily a homemaker, and worked at the Vernondale Elementary School Food Service for several years.

She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and belonged to the Ladies Aid of the Church. Ruth was always interested in art and nature study. Her artwork most often captured images which displayed her interest in observing nature and impressions of places she visited in her 101 years, especially Presque Isle in Erie, PA. As a young woman she attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. In 1947 she and her husband and 4 children moved to Erie.

She instilled her children with appreciation of the natural world while wandering with them in nearby woods. While raising her 6 children, Ruth volunteered at schools and church where she provided artwork and layouts for the church bulletin. For years, she taught adults and children to read with the “each one, teach one” Laubach method. Ruth volunteered for over 30 years as an art teacher at the Salvation Army Senior Center in Erie and served on the Millcreek Art Show Committee at Asbury Woods in Erie for 30 years. Ruth was also a member of the DAR.

She had a long and prolific career as an amateur artist, producing over 30 finished works, mainly nature scenes in oil or water color. Her work was displayed at Millcreek Art Show over many years and her final painting completed in 2013 at age 100 was accepted in the 2014 Erie Art Show.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Francis W. Steiner in 1983 and a brother James Horning.

She is survived by two daughters, Linda, wife of James Knestrick, of Hummeltown, PA; Mary, wife of Henry Miller, of Perrysburg, NY; and four sons, David Steiner, of Riverdale Maryland, Jack Steiner and his wife Kim Truesdale of Newfields, NH, Karl Steiner of Erie, and Sam and his wife Claire Steiner, of Erie; a sister, Nina Landon, of Springfield, MA; 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street (at Powell Avenue) on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. and are invited to attend a service at Trinity Lutheran Church 14 E. 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504 on Monday at 11 a.m. with Pastor David Kuchta officiating.

Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the Salvation Army, 1022 Liberty Street Erie, PA 16502.