Stephanie "Steffie" F. Spon, 3296 Emilie Lane, Hermitage passed away peacefully at 3:45 p.m. at John XXIII Home, Hermitage, on Wednesday (11-26-08) from natural causes. She was 85.

Mrs. Spon was born June 18, 1923 in Campbell, Ohio to Stephen and Theresa H. Kovac Jukich. She graduated from Memorial High School, Campbell, Ohio where she was a member of the National Honor Society. After high school she worked as a legal secretary. She next assisted the WWII effort doing her part as "Rosie the Riveter" at Republic Steel in Youngstown, OH.

Steffie met William H. Spon on the dance floor and they continued to jitterbug throughout their 58 years of marriage. For 50 years she partnered with him as receptionist for Spon Electric. The family resided in Sharon for 16 years before moving to their dream house in Hermitage in 1966. They enjoyed travelling together throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

Stephanie was deeply devoted to family, church, and community. She was a loving mother and a great cook. She loved to travel, bowl, tell stories, and dance Croatian kolos. The family has many good memories of the birthday and holiday celebrations she enjoyed hosting.

She belonged to Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, and was a member and past president of the Ave Maria Society. She was active in the church catering group and enjoyed singing with both the Notre Dame and Church of the Good Shepherd choirs.

She was a member of the Croatian Catholic Union Lodge #29 of Farrell and was an avid bowler in the lodge bowling league for 28 years. She was also a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge of Farrell.

She belonged to the Hermitage Democratic Women's Club for 22 years, served as president, and was also on the executive board of the Mercer County Democratic Committee.

Her husband and love of her life, William H. Spon, whom she married July 1, 1950, survives at the residence.

She also leaves her five children, Wayne Spon and his wife Mary Pat, Silver Spring, MD, Steven Spon and his wife Beth, Sharpsville, Pamela Piper and her husband William, Hinesburg, VT, Sandra Spon and her husband Tim McGrew, Sandia Park, NM, and David Spon, New London, CT; two sisters, Justine Pacak, Campbell, OH, and Helen "Terry" Gallagher, Youngstown, OH,; five grandchildren Lisa Spon Tidswell, Laura Spon, Malcolm and Christine Piper, Nathan McGrew Spon; and two great grandchildren Corey and Emma Tidswell.

She was predeceased by her parents and three sisters Anne George, Kathryn Jukich, and Mary Jukich.

The family would like to extend a warm thank you to her Doctors and to the nurses and staff at John XXIII Home for their loving care of Stephanie during her last days.

Donations may be made to the Notre Dame Church, Hermitage.

Calling hours: 4-7 p.m. on Sunday (11-30-08) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc 1090 E. State Street, Sharon.

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday (12-1-08) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Msgr. Edward J. Zeitler, senior associate as celebrant.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage.