James Michael Steiner Sr., 71, of New Castle died Monday afternoon at the Highland Drive Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

Born April 30, 1935, in New Castle, he was the son of James Paul and Mary Emmy Ritty Steiner.

A graduate of New Castle High School, he also attended Youngstown State University and Eckles School of Embalming and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer.

He was a licensed real estate agent in Ohio and a land developer for home sites in Pennsylvania. His earlier employment included the ownership and operation of Steiner Grocery, Shenango China and GATX.

Mr. Steiner was nominated for the office of secretary and treasurer of the United Steel Workers Union of Ohio.

He was a member of St. Camillus Church.

He also served in the Air Force.

In 1963, he served as an aide to Congressman Thomas Carney. He also held the position of corresponding secretary of the Mahoning County Democrats Club at one time. His interest in politics continued throughout his life.

He is survived by his son, James M. Steiner Jr., and granddaughters, Julia and Anna, all of Youngstown; a sister, Joanne (John) Duda of New Castle; a sister-in-law, Cathy Steiner of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Paul Steiner; a sister Mary Irene Haybarger, and his former wife, Anne Fatsich Steiner.

<B>Steiner</B> — Friends of James Michael Steiner Sr., who died Monday Jan. 1, 2007, will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the <B>Ed &Don DeCarbo Funeral Home &Crematory</B>, 3000 Wilmington Road, New Castle. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Camillus Church with the Rev. Philip Farrell officiating. The procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Entombment will be in the Castle View Memorial Gardens.Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 300 PennCenter Blvd., Suite 602, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235.