Steven Laine Appel

Steven Laine Appel, 66, of Chicora, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Friday evening, August 19, 2022 at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Steven was born in Pomona, California on April 10, 1956.  He was the son of Jean Kendrick Borden and the late Donald Appel.

He was a 1974 graduate of Damien Catholic High School in La Verne, CA.

Steve was first employed by Edwards Laboratories from 1975-1979 and later by Pennzoil from 1979-1992 and retired in 2014 as the Product Coordinator/Traffic Supervisor from Calumet Specialty Products Partners (Penreco) in Karns City following 22 years of service.

He was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicora for many years where he sang in the choir, served on the Property Committee, and served as President of the Congregational Council many times throughout the years. Steve was a gifted and very talented singer, songwriter and musician.  He especially enjoyed playing the guitar and enjoyed mowing and landscaping around his home.  Steve had extreme empathy for others and was a great friend to many, far and wide.

In addition to his mother, Jean Borden, and his stepmother, Judy Appel, both of Menifee, California, Steve is survived by his wife, Sharon McCollough Appel, whom he married at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on October 11, 2008.  Also surviving are his children, Amber Blankenship and her husband, Joshua, of Charlotte, NC, Jarrett Appel of Slippery Rock, Nichole Rowan of Houston, TX, Bryce Gilmore and his wife, Megan, of Butler and Kylee Bell and her husband, Shayne, of Petrolia.  Steve was a loving father and father-in-law and affectionately known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, who were the love of his life, Lauren Soberon and her fiancé, Chris Szostak, Allyn Neely, Aiden Appel, Devin Appel, Zachary Gilmore, Faith Rowan, Daniel Blankenship, Myles Bell, and Zander Gilmore; a sister, Lori Milbrath and her husband, Scott, of Menifee, CA, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and step siblings.

In addition to his father, Donald Appel, and his stepfather, Phillip Borden, Steven was preceded in death by his first wife, Dawn Childress Appel; a brother, Richard Appel and a sister, Debra Ellis; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Allen and Barbara Freiters McCollough.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday and from 1 – 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2217 Chicora Rd., Chicora.  A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. from the church with the Rev. Joseph Boomhower, officiating.  Memorial contributions in Steven’s memory may be made to The Butler YMCA, ATTN: Parkinson’s Class, 339 North Washington St., Butler, PA 16001 Parkinson’s Class.  Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com. 

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