Stephen H. Orner

Orner - Stephen H., 79, Richland Township, went to be with the Lord on February 24, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on April 24, 1936 in Altoona, PA. Son of the late Albert Harry and Alma Mae (Holt) Orner. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brother-in-law, Gene VanHorne and his wife, Livian. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Beverly Ann (VanHorne) Orner, Richland Township; daughters, Kimberly Ann, wife of Ben Shapiro, Long Beach, NY, and Leigh Ann Orner-Carnese, wife of Chris Carnese, Phillipsburg, NJ., brother-in-law, Dale, married to the former Eleanor Timmins, Altoona, PA; sister-in-law, Kathleen VanHorne, Greensburg, PA, and several close nieces and nephews. Steve was a 1954 graduate of Altoona High School. He grew up in Altoona, PA's Juniata Gap, living and working on Orner's Poultry Farm. After graduating high school, he left for the southwestern states, working on a number of ranches until returning home to join the Marine Corps from 1955-58. Upon completion of his service, Steve settled in the Washington DC area, where he worked for the Vitro Space Industry and Department of Defense as a Precision Sheet Metal Mechanic, and at Bunker Ramo Corp as an Electro-Mechanical Designer/ Draftsman and Precision Sheet Metal Mechanic. In 1970, Steve returned to the Johnstown area, having accepted a job teaching metal fabrication at the Greater Johnstown Area Vocational Technical School. During this time, he also obtained a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Vocational Education from the University of Pittsburgh. After 15 years, Steve left the Johnstown Vo-Tech to continue teaching metal fabrication at the Bedford-Everett Vo-Tech. In 1998, he received the award for "Teacher of the Year in Vocational Education" and announced his retirement that same year. During the next 15 years, Steve worked as a substitute teacher at the Bedford-Everett Vo-Tech. Steve truly loved his students from both schools and was always interested in their future. His favorite sayings to them were "Put your safety glasses on" and "If it was easy, anybody could do it." Steve was a member of the Masonic Lodge (Logan Lodge 0490), the NRA, and the Daisytown Sportsman Association. He loved hunting, target shooting, and visiting his daughters in NM, NY, and NJ. In addition, he was an avid reader of world history and studied the Bible. Steve was a parishioner of the Bethany United Methodist Church of Johnstown, PA and active in that church's Men's Prayer Breakfast. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until time of service at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Bethany United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Larry Dunn officiating. Military rites will be conducted by Conemaugh Valley Det. #287 Marine Corps. League Ritual Team at the church. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family at Grandview Cemetery, Altoona, PA. The family is being is being served by the Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland. Stephen’s family suggests contributions be directed to either Bethany United Methodist Church, 112 Leventry Road, Johnstown, PA 15904 or to the Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, P.M.B. 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 in memory of Stephen H. Orner, On line condolences may be posted to www.wharrisfuneralhome.com.