Jean Marie Steinour passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, at Brookside Memory Care in New Oxford, Pennsylvania. Born in Edge Grove, Pennsylvania, on May 24, 1929, Jean was the seventh of eight children of John L. Sneeringer and Marie Livelsberger Sneeringer. Jean was a lifelong resident of Adams County, having lived 96 years within 12 miles of her birthplace.
Jean was a delight from the moment she entered this life. She loved being part of the church and school community at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Conewago and the Class of 1947 at Delone Catholic High School. She especially loved having the Sisters of Saint Joseph as her teachers and guides. Jean had wonderful memories of hiking the Pigeon Hills on weekends with her close-knit group of classmates who became lifelong friends. Jean loved to sing with her friends and family! She could carry a tune from the age of two and she kept singing until the day before she died.
Jean married Joseph C. Steinour, also a member of the Delone Catholic Class of 1947, on September 9, 1950. Jean and Joe raised their seven children in Gettysburg, where they were active and involved members of St. Francis Xavier Parish. Jean sang in the choir, served at bingo, school luncheons, and bazaars, and joined in many other good works. Jean was a stay-at-home Mom for most of her children’s lives. She taught her children (and later her grandchildren) to be kind, to serve others with a happy heart and a smile, and to stay devoted to family. Many memories were created around a crowded and often loud kitchen table, where Jean served delicious and hearty meals to five generations.
Jean and Joe’s youngest child, John, was born in 1965 with Down syndrome. Despite the stigmas of the time, Jean was determined to give John the best life possible. In the early 1970s, she met Anne Deckert (mother of Brad), and together they started a Special Olympics program in Adams County for their sons. Jean and Joe remained involved with Special Olympics until well into their 80s and made legions of friends along the way. Jean and John have both been inducted into the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Hall of Fame.
Jean was also inducted into the Delone Catholic Hall of Honor for her lifelong good works and dedication to others. But Jean did not revel in the accolades. Instead, she relished relationships with family and friends. Jean and Joe loved and cherished their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends, and their love was returned tenfold.
Jean and Joe’s home was a gathering place, where people sought company, celebration, solace, and support.
Jean was predeceased by her husband Joe, her daughter Susan Steinour Coston, and her son John. She is survived by her daughter Anne Laughlin of Gettysburg, son-in-law Bill Coston of Gettysburg, son, Bill, and his wif,e Suzanne of Gettysburg, daughter, Becky and her husband Pete Thomas of Gettysburg, daughter Mary Beth and her husband Jim LeVan of East Berlin, PA, and daughter, Carol and her husband Bob Young of Camp Hill, PA. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kate Parker (Ben) of Pawley’s Island, SC, Andrew Laughlin of Pittsburgh, Jennifer Krovic of Mechanicsburg, Kerri Reeve (Ben) of Roanoke, Texas, Eliza Bernardini (Brian) of Coatesville, Peter Steinour (Claudia) of Miami, FL, Lindsay Bourke (Josh) of Melbourne AU, Emily Devereux (Patrick) of Pittsburgh, Laura Doll (Derrick) of York, Susanna (James) Sayah of Camp Hill, and Max Young of Camp Hill, 14 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, November 15, at the historic St. Francis Xavier Church, Gettysburg. The viewing will begin at 12 noon, followed by Mass at 1:00. Memorial contributions can be made to Special Olympics Adams County and the Sisters of St. Joseph, Philadelphia. The Monahan Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements and online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.