Steven L. Hanna, 69, of Wooster passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on February 6, 1956, in Orrville to Robert and Mary Ellen Thompson Hanna. On July 4, 2020, he married Joyce Graber Heitger.
Steven graduated from Orrville High School in 1974. He worked at Gerstenlager/ArtiFlex for 44 years in various roles retiring in 2022. Steven was a die-hard Cleveland, Ohio State and College of Wooster Scot sports fan, enjoyed Nascar and Indy car racing. Loved playing and editing music, played in the Praise Band and ran the sound board at church. He was a loving husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother and uncle.
He was survived by his wife Joyce, his sons Neil Hanna of West Mansfield and Nicholas Hanna of Mt. Vernon; stepsons Anton (Jen) Heitger of New Hampshire, Craig Heitger of Cleveland, and Eddie Heitger of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren Maddie and Lylah; a brother Gerald Hanna of Dalton; brothers and sisters-in-law Clark (Patty) Willems, Chris (Amy) Willems, Valerie (David) Laurila, Carl (Maureen) Willems and Amy (Eric) Jacobsen.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Nancy Willems Hanna whom he married on November 4, 1978.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Parkview Christian Church, 1912 Burbank Rd., Wooster with Pastor Jermiah Scadden officiating.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Parkview Christian Church, 1912 Burbank Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 or to Millcreek Church of Christ, 24956 Lunda Rd., Raymond, Ohio 43067.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Joyce I am so sorry to hear about Steve’s death! My heart breaks for you! Prayers for comfort for you dear friend.
Joyce, I sam so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to you and your family
Joyce. Im so sorry you lost your wonderful Steve. Comfort and love to you and your family in the this sad time. May he rest in peace in the loving arms of our Savior. Prayers.
A wonderful guitar player for the band Johnny Mirage back in the 70’s. So glad he found his religious path later in life.
Joyce, so sorry to hear about Steve, he was an awesome guy! I enjoyed working with him and seeing him at the Scots games! I’ll miss his post on Facebook all the hard work he did!
Sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. We shared common ground, growing up on Bell Ave., in Orrville. He also was best of friends with my belated husband Tom ( Bones). They played alot of music together. High school and early twenties. Prayers for all, during this time.
Joyce,
You already know how both Art and myself feel at the loss of Steve. We are devastated. He was the kindest, most thoughtful and wonderful neighbor, anyone could ever dream of having. Life on our street will never be the same and he will be deeply missed. We are here for you Joyce, Love Day and Art ❤️
Dear Joyce,
So sorry for your great loss. I could see how happy you were with Steve. He was so very good to you. Prayers for comfort & healing my dear friend.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. I’m holding you in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for the passing of my cousin Steve. Fond memories of my youth when we were growing up, family get togethers in Orrville.
So sorry Joyce and family. Prayers for comfort at this difficult tome!
My deepest thoughts and prayers for his passing.
Steve and I worked together for decades – he was always a positive force in the face of challenging times.
A great loss for all who knew him. My sympathies.
Joyce and family, we are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Your family is in our prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with Joyce and the family. Steve was always one of the kindest and helpful people I’ve had the joy to know. What a tremendous man!
Joyce, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Your heart must be breaking with conflicting thoughts: the nearly unbearable ache you feel at your loss, the unspeakable joy Steven is experiencing speaking face to face with his Savior. You were , when we were neighbors, so good to me,clearing snow, offering muscle to lift and move things, being an example of Christians–faith in action. We are here for you. Feel free to lean hard on our love and His comfort. PROV. 3:5,6.
My sincere condolences go out to Joyce and family. I consider myself lucky to have crossed paths with Steve (Mr. Hanna as I called him). He was a great man and a joy to be around. Many fond memories of our time working together at Gerstenslager/Artiflex. Anyone that knew Steve respected him and enjoyed his company. RIP my friend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I worked with Steve at Artiflex and he was a delight to be around. A very helpful and knowledgeable gentleman.
Joyce, my heart goes out to you but know you know the joy Steve has now that he is at home with our Lord. Keep that joy I seen every Sunday when we greet each other because it will get you through some tough times. I am
Praying for you! Love you, Dolores Breese
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Although the years you and Steven spent together were few, they were filled with much love and many memories. Steven is receiving his reward for a life well-lived. God bless
My sincerest condolences. I had the pleasure of training under Steve at Artiflex prior to his retirement. He was unfailingly kind, deeply knowledgeable, and a clearly beloved fixture at the heart of the company that kept everything turning for many long years. I’m deeply saddened, and please know that the family will be in my prayers.
Joyce, we are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Joyce, my deepest sympathy on Steve’s passing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
So sorry Joyce and family. Prayers for comfort at this difficult time.
So very sorry Joyce for this great loss. Our hearts break with yours. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve was a great guy,great friend,great ambassador for our Lord and Savior. I looked forward to his funny Facebook posts and his excellent music videos.he was going to teach me how to setup a small studio but I never got around to it. My world is less bright but we’ll meet again
Neil and Nick and family, we are sorry for your loss. We will always remember his guitar, especially on Revelation Song. Terry, Deb, Jeremiah, Jonathan Miller
Dear Joyce, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this period of mourning and celebration of Steven’s life. Rebecca, John and family
Joyce, I am so very sorry for you loss. Keeping you and the family in my prayers. With love, Nat
Dear Joyce – I’ll never forget the day we first spoke about this wonderful man in your life!! It’s with a heartfelt sorrow to learn of his passing. Prayers that all of the love from your family and friends wrap around you with enduring strength during this time of mourning. With love, Mary
I’m very sorry for your loss he was a great guy growing up my prayers go out to the family 🙏🙏🙏
Oh dear Joyce my heart is breaking 💔for you my dear friend. So sorry for your loss. Steve was a real blessing in your life. I’m here for you if I can help you in anyway. I’m sending you hugs, prayers and love your way.
Fond memories growing up . Times at the cabin . Hunting mushrooms with Dad . Times at our grandparents . Watching your boys grow up . Gonna miss you Steven .
So sorry to hear the passing of Cousin Steven. I have great memories of growing up together and especially our family get togethers on Christmas Eve.
I am so proud of Steven for all his life accomplishments! You will be missed.
Joyce and family.
I am truly saddened by the passing of my Coworker and freind Steven.
I went to work at Artiflex in 2013 as CMM
Programmer.
I worked with Steven on day to day bassis until 2022. RETIRED THEN.He helped form my job and department..
Was one of the best that I worked with.
I will be praying for you and family.
While I would very much like to be at his memorial service it doesn’t seam to be possible.
As I have to b e home with my wife who is in Hospice..
God bless. I know he always spoke very fondly and well of bieng able to retire with you and enjoy life..
Went to the service today and it was very touching found out things out about him I didn’t know. LOVED IT
Shocked and saddened to hear of Steve’s passing but knowing he knew the Lord makes me joyous! I met Steve when we got hired together at Frito-Lay in 1976 into the same department and when we spoke of music he found that I tried my hand at bass but had given up and sold the bass. Well he needed/wanted a bassist for an upcoming outdoors party and hauled me to Orrville to “make” me buy a used bass and amp from someone he knew and proceeded to show me how to play some Santana stuff and other songs and we did the gig – ha! A few years later he joined a band I was in as a 2nd guitarist. I got to visit with him quite a few years back on a return to Ohio and it was so good to see him!! He is the reason I got re-interested in playing music. I will see you again on the other side Steve!!