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Philemon A. Steigerwald

Philemon Steigerwald Obituary

The following obituary is being republished to provide additional information. PHILEMON A. STEIGERWALD, 76, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, at his residence in Fort Wayne. Born Oct. 21, 1927, in Fort Wayne, he was owner and broker of Fairfield Realtors, Inc. for 40 years. He was a 40-year member and soloist at Plymouth Congregational Church; longtime Santa for Wolf and Des-sauer Dept. Store, downtown Fort Wayne; soloist at Congregation Achduth Vesholom for 25 years; 5th District City Councilman for eight years; current treasurer of the republican party; South Side High School graduate. Survivors include three daughters, Marcia A. Steigerwald (R.J.Melton), Laura J. McCoy (Michael D.), Elizabeth L. Walker (Larry W.), all of Fort Wayne; a son, Philemon C. Steigerwald (Constance Martin) of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Andrew M. McCoy, Matthew D. McCoy, Jonathan P. McCoy, Katherine L. Walker, Christine E. Walker, Emma P. Walker, Lauren L. Steigerwald, Amy N. Steigerwald, Meg. E. Steigerwald, Rebecca M. Martin, Charles P. Martin, all of Fort Wayne; a niece, Cheryl (John) Maxwell of Fort Wayne; a nephew, Mark (Chris) Wasson of Irving, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia L., in 1990. Service is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 501 W. Berry St., with visitation one hour prior to service. Visitation also from 11 a. m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the church. Burial at Lindenwood Cemetery. Preferred memorials to Plymouth Congregational Church, American Diabetes Association or Mental Health Association of Allen County, "We The Living"-Suicide Support Group.

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Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Philemon Steigerwald

17 Entries

Mark Rensberger

January 25, 2004

To the Steigerwald Family: What a great Santa Claus. I remember him vividly like it was yesterday downtown and always so kind and cheerful. He made my year when I got to visit him at Wolf and Des-sauer Dept. store where he was Santa. He was a very good Santa too! He made many children very happy. Thanks again for the great memories.

Heather Phillips

January 22, 2004

Dear Phil,

I met your father on several occasions as I 'baby-sat' the girls(Lauren,Amy & Meg) all through my high school days. He was always a cheerful man.

I'm very sorry for your loss. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless You,

Heather

Denise (Farmer) Quillin

January 20, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to you. My sister Renee and I campaigned one summer when your Dad was running for concilman. What a wonderful experience he gave us and taught us the honesty of politics. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Sue Merz

January 20, 2004

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Family of Phil Steigerwald "Santa". Our family and so many other families have so many Christmas memories and traditions that included your very kind and gentle Dad. He was the "Real Santa" and brought the true meaning of Christmas to our home for many years. Thank you for sharing your Dad with so many of us during the Holiday Season. God Bless you all.

Greg Davidson

January 20, 2004

Dear Steigerwalds,

I sat on Santa's lap at Wolf and Desauers many times, and will never forget it. I met Phil years later at some function in Ft. Wayne and jokingly asked if I could put my list in early and he just laughed. I'm very sorry for your loss, he was a great guy.

Pat & Leon Wolfe

January 19, 2004

Dear family of Phill,

Please accept our deepest sympathy.

We remember him as Santa when our

children visited him each year.

I (Pat) worked for him at Century 21 Fairfield Realtors. He was a kind and understanding man.

Leon is a retired police officer and knew him for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Bonnie Hartley

January 19, 2004

Priceless memories from a wonderful man, and now he is 'Santa' in Heaven.

Vickie Kirkpatrick

January 19, 2004

Phil, you have blessed many people with your smile, and I am one of the many children who will never forget you. I have 10 sisters and all have a memory of you at Christmas. Thanks for bring you, and you will be missed

Tom Jones

January 19, 2004

My sympathy to the Steigerwald family for they and we have lost a fine man and a true gentleman. I first knew him as Santa at W & D's and lastly when he was on the Property Tax Appeals Board of Review for Allen County. He was expert at both positions and always a pleasure to visit with. God Bless his soul. He will be missed.

michelle cox

January 18, 2004

i remember your father very well, in fact he was one of the first people we met when we moved to fort wayne in 1971--what a wonderful and loving person he was and you are were so blessed to have had him in your lives for so many years--he will be missed by many, and fondly remembered by all who knew him--our thoughts are with all of you at this time

Kenneth Fensler

January 18, 2004

Your Father and I went to school together at Ward Elementary. I want to express my condolences and trust God will bring comfort to your hearts. Rev Kenneth Fensler

MARCIA PETERS

January 17, 2004

DEAR FAMILY OF PHIL,

MARCIA, LAURA, BETH, AND PHIL, YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT REMEMBER ME FROM OUR YOUNGER CHILDHOOD. I WAS YOUR FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR ON HANNA STREET. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOUR FATHER WAS A GREAT MAN AND CONTRIBUTED MANY WONDERFUL THINGS TO THIS CITY.

TO CHERYL&JOHN,

I AM SADDENED BY YOUR LOSS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND MAY HE KEEP YOU TIGHTLY CLASPED IN HIS LOVING ARMS THROUGHOUT YOUR TRIALS AND HARDSHIPS YOU ARE ENDURING.

SINCERELY, MARCIA

Al and Lisa Cantrell

January 17, 2004

Papa Phil made such a wonderful impact in so many lives. He touched ours with his almost boundless love. He graced our wedding with "Be Thou My Vision," always shared his patient and caring demeanor, and goes on ahead, leaving us all with so many warm memories. We know what a beautiful gift he had in a singing voice almost as large as his heart. We can only imagine how much more beautiful it is right now, glorifying the Lord face to face.

Carl Jones

January 17, 2004

Please accept my depest sympathy in the loss of Phil. I have known him for over 60 years when he lived on Hanna Street near Weisser Park and his father was on the Police Force in Fort Wayne. We attended the James H. Smart elementary school that no longer exists there at Smith and Pontiac. Phil was always a very likable, big guy with lots of ideas and plenty of energy. He will be missed by all.

alisa gearhart

January 17, 2004

Dear Phil, The memories of the perfect childhood come flooding back when I think of you. Your towering frame as you stood in your red velvet Santa suit. That deep but gentle voice,greeting us with love. You made me believe that anything was possible.I believe there is a Santa and now he is an angel.God Bless YOU . Love Alisa

Sandy Gray

January 17, 2004

I hope that your family will take some comfort in knowing how much Mr. Steigerwald was admired and loved in this community. He touched my heart when I was a child and that has stayed with me all these years. Thank You "Santa". May God bless your family.

Becky Chasey

January 16, 2004

Mr. Steigerwald was a special man. He will always be remembered as Fort Wayne's Santa and as one of the best voices at Plymouth Congregational Church. In addition, he has made a difference in this community with his involvement in city government and his ties with the Republican party. His intellegence, tallent and giving nature has blossomed into the lives of his children and grandchildren. May the peace of God be with them during this time of sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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