Mary Hazel James Steinhauer

Mary Hazel James Steinhauer, 89, of Piketon, Ohio fought the good fight, ran her race, and kept the faith. On October 27, 2025, at 12:52 p.m., she received her crown of righteousness.
Mary was born on June 20, 1936, in Waverly, Ohio to the late Rev. Raymond and Naomi (Grooms) James. On April 11, 1954, she married William E. "Bill" Steinhauer, who preceded her in death on January 10, 2009.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Ray Diles; her brother and sister-in-law, Estel and Geri James; her youngest sister, Marty James, and honorary sister, Wanda Tisdale; Bill's siblings, Charles, Idabelle, Walter, Dorothy, Wilfred, Mildred, Margaret, John, and Ruth; an infant daughter, Alica Jean; granddaughter, Laura Elizabeth Fannin, and a great-grandchild August Rowan Bauer.
Surviving are her children, Ramona (Byron) Park, Linda (Justin) Montgomery, and Lori (Tedd) Purdin, all of Waverly; Becky Fannin, of Hallsville, and Tim Steinhauer, of Piketon; four grandchildren, Miranda (Jeremy) Caverley, of Columbus, Autumn (Scott) Miller, of Anderson, Indiana, Brandon (Mallory) Park of Canal Winchester, and Kaitlyn (Paul) Bauer, of Waverly; and two great-grandchildren, Ayrabella Miller, and Zavier Park.
Mary had many honorary children and family members including Al and Darlene Hill and family, Becky Cantrell and family, and Steve Beekman.
Mary attended New Covenant Church of Christ in Christian Union in Waverly, where she was very active in organizing dinners, the church kitchen, and cooking. She spent many hours volunteering at Adena Pike Hospital in the snack bar and gift shop. She cooked at Nipgen Church Camp for several years and loved staying in her cabin and attending Wellston Church Camp. For 14 years Bill and Mary cared for more than 80 foster children in their home. Most left footprints on their hearts. Mary was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice, especially Ashley Cooper, RN; Jo, Jamie, and Kaitlyn, NAs; Chaplain George Vastine, and Chaplain Jon Partlow. Ashley introduced Mary to "The Happy Song", which always brought a smile to Mary's face and a sparkle to her eyes. Chaplain Jon sang a "new" song to Mary, "Hide Me, O, My Savior, Hide Me", by Fannie Crosby. It immediately became one of her favorites and he sang it every time he came to minister to Mary and her family.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2025, at New Covenant Church of Christ in Christian Union, Waverly, Ohio with Pastor Dale Reed and Pastor Michael Blevins officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Union Cemetery, Bridge Street.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the beginning of the services on Saturday at the church.