Frederick "Bill" Steckman

Mr. Frederick William “Bill” Steckman, 98, of Salamanca, NY died Monday, December 30, 2024 at Olean General Hospital following a short illness.

Born July 9, 1926 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late Carl George and Dora Gifford Steckman. On August 22, 1951, he was married to the former Anna Katharine Eaton, who predeceased him on August 22, 2017. He was a lifelong resident of Salamanca, NY.

Mr. Steckman was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1944.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in the CB Division for two years on a Troop Transport in the Pacific Theatre. He was discharged in 1946.

Mr. Steckman had been employed for 43 years in the Signal Department of the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad in various parts of Western NY and Northwestern PA, retiring in 1982. He also owned and operated Steckman Lawn Rolling for over 20 years.

He was a member of the former United Congregational Methodist Church, the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535, the Great Valley Masonic Temple, and the Coudersport, PA Consistory, receiving the 32 in 1970.

Mr. Steckman enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing in Newfoundland, Labrador and South Dakota. He had a hobby of making furniture and other furnishings from moose, caribou, and deer antlers. After WWII, appliances were unavailable so he made a freezer by rewiring a ¾ horse motor and compressor, using cork for insulation which lasted 23 years.

Surviving are: a niece, Dianna (Ron) Stelley, Gowanda, NY; a nephew, William (Debbie) Grainge, Gowanda, NY; several cousins.

He was predeceased by a brother, Carl Steckman and two sisters, Mary Hexamer and Dora Grainge.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Monday, January 6, 2025 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Mike Peters officiating.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to EARS, PO Box 445, Salamanca, NY 14779.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh