Sara Kathryn Kelser Steck

STECK Sara Kathryn "Sally" Kelser Steck, age 96, passed away at Wesley Glen Retirement Center on October 8, 2010. Born June 23, 1914, to Ivah and Paul Kelser, she was proud to call Westerville her home for most of her life. She and L. William "Bill" Steck met at Otterbein College as members of the class of 1937. After graduation she taught English, speech, and physical education for 5 years at Westerville High School, and especially enjoyed "coaching" all of the theater productions. She married Bill Steck on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1942, and, since he was teaching at Otterbein, the Westerville Methodist Church was filled with students from both the high school and college. While Bill was serving in the U. S. Army in post-war Japan, Sally worked in an administrative office at Otterbein. Sally was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She spent countless hours actively involved with the Church of the Messiah United Methodist as a member of the choir, Teammates Sunday School class, and United Methodist Women. She also volunteered with the Otterbein Women's Club Thrift Shop, as well as Girl Scouts, and was a member of PEO and Amity Club. Sally was honored as Otterbein Women's Club Woman of the Year in 1981. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister and brother-in-law Pauline and Fred Norris. She is survived by son, Fredric Steck (Marlene Borschel); daughters, Katrina Mescher (Anthony) and Gretchen Horstman (David); and grandsons, Ben and Jeremy Mescher and William Steck. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 12, 2010, at Church of the Messiah UM, 51 N. State St., Westerville, OH. Visiting hours will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 am. Sally's ashes will be interred in Otterbein Cemetery in Westerville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sally's name to Otterbein University for the Steck Family Scholarship, 1 South Grove St., Westerville, OH 43081; Church of the Messiah UMW, 51 N. State St., Westerville, OH 43081; or International Friendships, 195 Chittenden Ave., Columbus, OH 43201. Arrangements by HILL FUNERAL HOME, Westerville.