Stepp

Willis Laverne “Red” Stepp, 91, of 151 Watson Road, Poland Springs, Maine, went to be with the Lord Friday while in the care of Hospice House, Lewiston, Maine.

He was born Dec. 3, 1919, in Butler County to Merle L. and Ethel Olive (Lefever) Stepp.

Red enlisted in the Navy during World War II and while stationed in Portland, Maine, met his lifelong bride, Pauline E. Eastman, who he married June 9, 1943.

She survives him as do his five children, Sandra (Vince) Ciufia of Monterey, Calif., James (Ann) Stepp of Casco, Maine, Susan (Jim) Smith of Newark, Del., Pamela (Todd Grinnell) Stepp of Chicago, Ill., and Steven Stepp of Millbrook, Ala. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. One sister, Norma Jean (Scott) Bailey of Gibsonia, also survives.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Theron “Chip” and Richard “Dick” Stepp; and a sister, Ethel “Betty” Oswald.

Red's life and love revolved around his family and his faith. A born-again Christian, Red taught a young couples Sunday school class every Sunday at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Portland for more than 30 years. After retiring, he and his wife of 68 years became members of the Poland Baptist Church, where Red also taught Sunday school for as long as his health permitted.

He was known for his deep and infectious laugh, his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the enjoyment brought from hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. Of very special joy to Red were all the hours he spent with each and every grandchild and great-grandchild.

<B>STEPP</B> — Friends of Willis L. “Red” Stepp, who died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, were received Tuesday at the <B>Hall Funeral Home</B>, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco, Maine. A memorial service celebrating his life was today at the Poland Baptist Church, Maine 100/Route 26, Poland, Maine. Interment will be private.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Red's memory be sent to Hospice House, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave., P.O. Box 819, Lewiston, ME, 04243-0819 or to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214-0800.