Marcus L. Steinour

Marcus Leo Steinour, born October 17, 1930, in Gettysburg, Pa., passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at the Thornwald Nursing Home in Carlisle, Pa.  He was the son of Earl and Eva Kane Steinour, of Gettysburg, Pa.

Marcus, the widower of Margaret (Margy) Steinour, resided in Chambersburg, Pa. from 1950 to 1985, and remained thereafter in the local area.        

He attended St. Francis Xavier School, followed by Gettysburg High School.  In 1948, he enrolled in Delone Catholic High School, McSherrystown, Pa., where within days, he met the love of his life, Margy Anthony.  They were married in 1950 and celebrated 67 years together.        

He attended Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg, followed by St. Luke the Evangelist in Mercersburg, and Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Shippensburg.  In the 1960s, he served as President of the Legion of Mary, performing home visits and social work.

He was employed at Letterkenny Army Depot from 1949 until 1988. He was one of the first people in the nation to be trained to operate a main-frame computer, and to program in the COBOL computer language.          

A lifelong writer, Marcus was known primarily for his plays, but he also authored children’s books, novels, poetry, song lyrics, and an extensive journal.  He would often call attention to the young man with a notebook and pen who was observing from the sidelines.                

After retirement, Marcus entered his play, “At Land’s End,” into the Samuel French playwriting contest in New York City, N.Y., for up-and-coming playwrights at the Off-Off Broadway level.  He was awarded first prize, and as a result, several of his plays were performed at the Harold Klurman Theatre in New York City.  Many people in Chambersburg may remember that in the summer of 1999, his play, “Phoenix:  The Burning of Chambersburg,” was performed for an entire week at the Capitol Theater. 

 Marcus was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret. He is survived by his brothers Gene (Helen) and Earl (Betty); two sisters-in-law Patricia and Jean Anthony; and his five children Marcia, Thomas (Melissa), Timothy (Kathleen), Adele (Barry) Souder, and Diane; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make any memorial donations to a charity of your choice. Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Chambersburg has been entrusted with conducting the services.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelsocorneliusfh.com.     

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