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Gus Steberl Jr.

FUNERAL HOME

Tobias Funeral Home - Belmont Chapel

648 Watervliet Ave

Dayton, Ohio

Gus Steberl Obituary

News Death Notice

STEBERL, Gus Jr. Passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2009 after a short illness, just a few days before his 100th birthday. He was born in February of 1909 to Gust and Susanna Steberl. He was the oldest brother of Dorothy Ostendorf and John Steberl. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1927, Gus became an apprentice butcher. In 1932, he married Virginia Crute with whom he had four daughters, Carol, Patricia, Sharon and Kathleen, and with whom he owned and operated Steberl's Market on Smithville Rd, for over 45 years. He remained friends with many loyal customers until his death. Gus had a life-long passion for photography and won several awards for his photos. His collection of historic photos now resides with the Montgomery County Historical Society. In the 1940's, he worked part-time at the WPAFB photography department and shot a rare photo of the Memphis Belle B-17 bomber and its crew when they stopped in Dayton to promote war bonds. It is the only photo of the crew with the airplane taken in the U.S. In 2004 Gus donated the photo to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force for its exhibit of the restored Memphis Belle. Gus had an inquiring mind, a keen sense of humor and a zest for new experiences and for making new friends. At age 99 he still lived independently and drove his car. He loved helping his neighbors, gardening and maintaining his home in Patterson Park.He is survived by daughters Carol Haas of Kettering, Sharon Appelt of Centerville and Kathy Steberl of Seattle, sons-in-law Richard Appelt and Jerry Breese, grandsons Liam Smith of Homer, Alaska, and Jeff Haas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, granddaughter Stephanie Desruisseau of Kettering, great grandsons Chad Shingledecker and Jeff Haas, Jr., nieces Nancy Allen of Joliet, Illinois, and Joy Moloney of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and nephews Don Steberl of Williamsburg, Va, Tom Ostendorf of Fairborn.Visitation will be at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME- BELMONT CHAPEL at 648 Watervliet Avenue at Fauver on Monday, February 9, 2009 from 4-7pm and from 10-11am Tuesday morning. The funeral service will be Tuesday February 10, 2009 at 11:00am at Tobias Funeral Home. Gus will be buried at Woodland Cemetery next to his beloved wife of 58 years, Virginia.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dayton Daily News from Feb. 6 to Feb. 8, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Gus Steberl

11 Entries

the Sheppard Family

February 20, 2009

we were neighbors of Gus' for nearly 10yrs in Patterson Park and he was one of those people who touched your life in a way not many can. He watched our family grow from 2 kids to 4 kids and loved having them come over to see his photos or just chat for awhile. Every year we exchanged xmas cards and he sent photos he found that he had taken of our oldest daughter at the bus stop one snowy morning. He was very special and will be missed. from the Sheppard's(mike,jeannine, kait,maddie,emma and quinn)

Kelly Clayton

February 18, 2009

We lived next door to Mr Gus for only a year, but he left quite an impression on us. He was the best neighbor we have ever had and we tell stories about him all the time. He was so generous and kind. The day we moved in he made us lunch and shared stories of the neighborhood with us- including some of his wonderful pictures. My husband was working for the Dayton Dragons at the time and Mr Gus brought us pictures of the stadium while it was being built- we were so touched that he gave us such a neat momento! What a dear person he was- we are certainly inspired by his spirit and his amazing long life.

Kathie Mahaffy

February 10, 2009

My mother was a long-time friend of Dorothy Ostendorf and her daughter Joy, and I had met Gus on a few occasions. The last time I saw him was back in the mid-90's at my parents' auction, and he invited me to come out to his house for a visit any time. I sure wish I would've taken him up on that - I would've loved to have heard some of those stories about Old Dayton. I could've learned a lot from him.

To Gus's family, I am so sorry for your loss - hopefully before too long you will be able to look past the grief and celebrate Gus's incredible life!!!

Georgeann Smith (Bevington)

February 9, 2009

Gus was a wonderful neighbor and a good friend to my dad. They watched out for each other and worried about each other. He was my eyes and ears whenevery my dad had health issues. He was always interested in learning and talking to him was always enjoyable. He will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

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Claudia Cahill-Thom

February 9, 2009

Dear Family of Gus,

I am Claudia (Cahill) Thom and for fice years, my mom and dad and I lived in the house the store was attached to, my teen years at that. I married and moved away and lost touch. Gus was always smiling and such a hard worker in that store. In summer I would buy a popsicle and sometimes split it with Fred Korner who worked there after Don Dunnington quit. Sometimes I would take more of Gus's employee than he was willing to pay for so politely shooed me home. As a landlord he was very good to us. He tried to keep (The grocery store curse) bugs at a minimum by having Orkin come once a month. The bugs would sneak a ride in via lightbulbs, labels on cans etc. We never found a torantula but the groceries sure had other species problems, but never mice. Our basements were separated by only a piece of fiber board like a screen. The stock was kept down there and our laundry was there.so laundry day Fred would have lots of stock to rotate so we could talk while I did laundry. Pood Gus, He put up with a lot from us teenagers, but he still was always very nice. When I was sick and stayed home from School, Gus would keep an ear out and eye out to make sure I was OK...and didn't have any "unauthorized" visitors. I only violated the no visitor rule once, but my Mom was advised of it before her car door shut that night. LOL When I left Dayton and moved to Indiana, August of 1990, I gave a reception for folks to meet my new husband and for my mother to have an opportunity to say goodbye to her friends and relatives. It was such a treat to see Gus come and catch up on our lives. I knew he was extraordinary-he had suffered through TB of the bone years before we knew him..but he was hard to keep up with when it came to work or walking. I am sorry I missed being able to hear his history memories. As I get older I realize what a treasure elders are in helping us handle the future with their tales of the past. You will all miss Gus at unusual times. I will believe he was happy to be reunited with Dorothy, and I am delighted that he did not have to suffer long like she did.. Maybe he was teaching us all how to keep living life and enjoying this journey and our fellow travelers. MY deep sympathies to you all.
Claudia

Norm Siefert

February 8, 2009

Gus was a close friend coworker at South Park Foto. He worked with Joe Ledbetter until after the war. Joe reopened is Phot Store and hire Gus I worked with Gus several years before entering the Air Force.Gus was a intelligent worker and well liked. After leaving SpFoto he reopened his small store on Smithville Road. A small corner store, but he always had what you needed. He made the best Ham Salad in the city. His check out counter was at the front of the store near a full window. I mentioned one day Gus, arent' you afraid with all that traffic some one would run into the front? He said well, it hasn't happened so far. The next week a stone from a passing car put a large crack init. No one was hurt. If you ever needed a friend, Gus and his Wife Virginia were there for you. I saw Gus a few years ago at my wife's funeral. I asked him who brought him. He said I drove myself he was 95 at that time. The aren't many true friends you may have but Gus was a lost art. I imagine Gus is making a lot of friends today.

Karen Walker

February 8, 2009

I remember as a your child always wanting to walk to his grocery store on Smithville Rd. We loved to buy the penny candy. Where can you buy it now days?

Kris Stokes

February 8, 2009

Was sad to learn of Gus' death. I only had the honor of knowing Gus for a little over 5 years.......although I had heard stories about him for years. I came to know Gus after a relative ( neighbor and good friend )of Gus' died. After George died, I would often stop and just visit with Gus for hours at a time. I learned more about Dayton history, etc, than I did in 16+ years of formal education. His home was like a museum......and the knowledge Gus possesed was unbeleievable! We have lost quite a remarklble man. I was blessed to have had the chance to know such a wonderful gentleman, if even for such a short time!

Phil Buckle

February 7, 2009

Every now and then you read an obituary of someone you wish you had known. It would have been nice to have sat on the porch and talked to Gus for an afternoon, the things he could have told you about early Dayton, you are so lucky.

Gregory Gantt

February 7, 2009

Gus was an absolute treasure in the lives of my family. My wife, children, and I will miss him dearly. We are greatful that we attended his 99th birthday party last year.

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