Obituaries
Steven P. Spangler
August 01, 2025
Steven P. Spangler of Leola, PA is now driving the golden roads of heaven. He took the road from this life to the next on Friday evening, August 1, 2025 with his family by his side.
Steve was beloved by his wife, Debbie; his sons, Adam and Daniel, and his daughters-in-love, Jenny and Hannah. He is also survived by his brother, David. He was “Uncle Steve” to William, Robert, Rebecca, Amanda, Carl, Andrew, Amber, and Melody. He was the son of the late Leon W. Spangler and Sheva Spangler. He was also predeceased by a sister, Linda, and a brother, Leon.
Steve graduated from Warwick High School and LeTourneau University with an Associate’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology.
Known as “Spang” to his coworkers, he subsequently worked at Lancaster Aviation in the Avionics department and then moved on to spend the bulk of his career at Strasburg Rail Road as the company electrician. More recently, he worked at Lancaster Parts and Equipment as a machinist.
Steve loved Jesus and enjoyed the study of scripture and deep theological conversations with others of faith. He was a member of Lancaster Evangelical Free Church and delighted in serving others there through various ways including Faith Builders ABF Leadership Team, Re|engage Marriage Ministry, and, probably his favorite, leading the Summer Interest Convertible Group.
Steve enjoyed cars and anything mechanical. Those who knew Steve, knew him as a man that was capable of fixing almost anything—stories of him doing repairs on cars with paper clips and rocks when other parts were not available to him are absolutely true. His family despairs at the thought of keeping his Jag convertible running without him! In a final act of being “Mr. Fix-it”, he was an organ donor so that others might benefit with a repaired body.
Steve and Debbie often enjoyed convertible rides in the surrounding countryside, driving either his 71 Triumph Spitfire or his 91 XJS Jaguar. However, Steve’s greatest joy was enjoying family time with Debbie, his sons and their wives whether around the dinner table or a campfire in the backyard. He will be remembered and missed for his servant’s heart, his mechanical aptitude, and his quirky sense of humor.
We praise God for Steve’s well-lived life, and we will celebrate that by gathering for a life celebration at 3 PM on Saturday afternoon, August 9th, 2025 at the Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Road, Lititz, PA 17543. A time of visitation will precede the service from 1-3 PM. If you own a convertible or classic car, please drive it to the service, weather permitting. There will be a special place for you to park when you arrive.
A private family interment will take place immediately following the service at Witness Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lancaster Evangelical Free Church’s Servants’ Fund.
The family is deeply grateful to the ICU Staff at Lancaster General Hospital for their care for Steve and support of his family during his final days.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
August 05, 2025
So Sad to hear this news my deepest Condolences to you and your family.
Brenda Jordan
August 04, 2025
You rascal! Even in death, you’re still fixing things. Organ donation for some very fortunate ones. -John Bachman
August 04, 2025
Dear Debbie , I am so sorry for loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. Your strong faith will help get you through this time. My thoughts and prayers going out to you. Love Sharon Welch Miller
August 04, 2025
To the Spangler family,
My deepest condolences on the sudden loss of your beloved Steve. I had the pleasure of meeting him recently and was immediately struck by his warmth and the incredible person he was. It was clear to me, and to everyone who met him, that his life was a gift to those around him.
The loss of such a wonderful person is immeasurable. My thoughts are with you, and I hope you find strength in each other and in the many happy memories you share.
With sympathy,Steve & Sheri Oberholtzer
Steve and Sheri Oberholtzer
August 04, 2025
I met Steve at the Strasburg Rail Road in the mid-1990s. I was impressed by the breadth and depth of his knowledge. The useful half of everything I know came from Steve. At a low spot in my life, he prayed for me, in the presence of others, without embarrassment. As far as I can tell, the prayer is still working. We solved the world’s problems over so many cups of tea, exchanging political and social observations, not always of a politically correct nature. I have been so lucky to know Steve and those close to him.
Hal Dunlap
August 04, 2025
Dear Deb.
Please accept our well-wishes in this difficult time. It was a pleasure knowing you and Steve in the past at LEFC. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality.
Dan and Selma Rogers
August 04, 2025
I was very sad to hear about Spang’s passing. I know he will be missed by many. I worked with him at the railroad for many years. There is comfort in knowing he is now in the arms of the Lord. 🙏
Cathy Amerling
August 04, 2025
We appreciated that Steve was willing to give us two work shop tours at Strasburg railroad. One was with our nephew and one was with our oldest grandson, both of whom are very interested in how things work. Steve was a great person and we know that many will miss him.
Ellen Campbell
August 04, 2025
Debbie, I don’t have any pics that I know of, but I do have some memories in word.
My interactions with Steve mostly came from Me being a Deaconess and I think he was a Deacon. His first comments would be measured. As I would explain further what this mom and/or family needed his whole demeanor changed . He would give me his perspective. Explain how he could help AND what that mom needed to do. He would end our conversation with a smile and assure me he or some of his “guys” could help.
As you know, he had a warm heart underneath that “serious “ external LOOK!!
Debbie thanks for sharing him with us as We did the Kingdom work Christ was asking us to do.
I am a co-laborer in Christ alongside you and a Widow. I desire to be someone being there for and with you. And a prayer parther.
Love,
Phyllis Militello
August 04, 2025
Debbie, Adam, Daniel, Jenny, and Hannah, Christ’s condolences to you. The obit captures the “Spang” we knew perfectly! His invariable comment to the artistry of his “baling wire” repairs was, “Works, doesn’t it?!”
Many a lunch period at the railroad with Steve, Dave Griner, Mark Andrews, and me went deep. It is amazing how much one can discuss in a half-hour: epistemology, critiques of modernity, metallurgy, the development of aircraft engines – Steve initiated or kept pace with it all.
I was personally unprepared for this. The most recent text thread on my device with Steve concerns amperage loads and circuit breakers. I was hoping for a visit by Steve and Debbie to our “swamp” sometime here in North Carolina … this will probably not happen now.
God keep you all,
Stephen Weaver
