Dr. Stephen Lee Stuart

Dr. Stephen Lee (Steve) Stuart, age 87 of Ashland, Ohio, went to be with his Lord
on February 12, 2024.
Dr. Stuart was born November 14, 1936 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to the late Dr. Joseph C. and Alice (Housenick) Stuart. He studied at Grove City College and graduated with a BA from Bloomsburg University in 1958, earned a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1963, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1971.
Steve married the love of his life, Mary Jean McConnaughy, on June 22, 1963 at the Wesley Methodist Church in Massillon, Ohio. Steve loved his family and cherished the time he had with them. He also loved his church and served as a trustee and elder in the First Presbyterian Church.
He grew up in Somerset County, Pennsylvania and his first job was at the Pine Springs Camp, where he worshiped and served with his father. The Stuart Chapel is a legacy that remains there today. Steve served as a teacher in Millersville, Pennsylvania and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He was a State Supervisor for the Ohio Department of Education, directing the Manpower Development and Training Program. He then served as Assistant Superintendent for the Lancaster City Schools, and Senior Administrative Specialist with Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio. In 1972, he was appointed Superintendent of the Wabash City Schools in Wabash, Indiana. Two years later, he was employed as Superintendent of the Marion City Schools, where he served for over 17 years. In 1991, he was named Ohio Superintendent of the Year by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. In 1993, he took a position as Assistant Dean for Professional Development Services and Associate Professor with Ashland University.
He was with Ashland University for 14 years.
From 2008 to 2015, Steve held the Ashland City Council at-large position. He served as president of the Ashland City Council from 2010 to 2015. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Ashland Area Council for Economic Development from 2010 to 2015. Steve was a member of the Samaritan Regional Hospital System Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2014 and served as Chairman from 2011 to 2014. He was a past member of the Ashland Symphony Board of Directors and the Ashland Rotary Club, being named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the Ashland University Gridiron Club Board of Directors.
While living in Marion, Ohio, Steve served as President and was one of the seven founders of the Palace Cultural Arts Association. The seven, called "The Palace Guard," were given credit for saving the Palace Theatre. He served on the Marion Public Library Board for 17 years and was President when a new library was constructed. Steve was a past President of the Marion County United Way Board of Directors and past campaign chairman. He had also been active with the United Way of Ashland County. He was a past Board of Director member of: Honeywell Foundation, Inc.; O.A.S.I.S. Trust; Marion Economic Council; and Marion Area Boy Scout Council. He was a founding father of the Marion Area Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. Steve was a member of the Charles M. Howell Lodge 496 F. & A.M. and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus.
Steve was named "Educator of the Year" by the Ohio PTA in 1980, "Outstanding Administrator of the Year" by the Ohio Music Education Association in 1988, "Educator of the Year" by the Marion Area Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa in 2002, and "Distinguished Citizen of the Year" by NEWSLIFE in 1986 and again in 1991.
Steve and Mary Jean enjoyed traveling, and visited 32 different countries. Golf, sports, gardening, automobiles, and auto racing were some of his favorite hobbies. He also loved
bragging about his grandchildren.
Steve is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Mary Jean (McConnaughy) Stuart, his daughter and son in-law Ann Bowen (Stuart) and Mark Hobart of Terrace Park, Ohio, and his son and daughter-in-law Joseph Kirk and Sarah (Davey) Stuart of Winnetka, Illinois. Also surviving him are his three grandsons William Stuart Hobart (Chicago, Illinois), Maxwell McConnaughy Hobart (Cincinnati, Ohio), and Graham Maguire Stuart (Winnetka, Illinois), his granddaughter Maggie Brown Stuart (New Orleans, Louisiana), brother and sister-in-law Tom and Gwen McConnaughy Jr., nieces and nephew Alice Treece, Mary Henderson, Joan Dasynich, Molly Patience, and Tom McConnaughy III.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Jo Culbertson.
His celebration of life will be on Saturday, April 6th at 1:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, Ohio with Reverend Justin Hylden presiding. A meal and time of fellowship will be held following the service. Interment will be private in the Ashland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Church Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the
funeral home's website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.