Stephen Donald Markowitz
January 11, 1948
May 16, 2022
Stephen “Steve” Markowitz (also called Marko by his friends), died on Monday, May 16, at home. He was the husband of Sharon Zimpfer Markowitz, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage.
Steve was born in Allentown PA, the son of the late Stephen and Stella Meszko Markowitz. He graduated from William Allen High School in the
Class of 1965, after which he studied electrical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He and Sharon married in 1970 in Allentown. From 1969 to 1973 he served in the United States Air Force in Biloxi MS. His love of all things New Orleans dates from this time.
Following this, Steve and Sharon returned to Allentown. He went to work for IBM as a field engineer in 1973 and worked 30 years until retirement. His daughter Shana was born in 1975. Following retirement, Steve joyfully embraced many hobbies and pursuits. He loved gardening, cooking Mexican food with ingredients from his own garden, bottling his own hot sauce, dining out, and attending festivals. Steve and Sharon attended as many live music events as they could possibly fit into their schedules. Over the years he also enjoyed collecting antiques, especially victrolas, beer trays, and player pianos. Shana has many fond memories of going to various junk shops with him over the years. Everyone who knew him has fond memories of his unique sense of humor.
He was an active member of Cedar Crest
Bible Fellowship for over 20 years, where he participated in five mission trips in the US and abroad. He played bass guitar in the orchestra and praise band.
Steve was an avid outdoorsman, whether it was working in his yard, feeding and watching birds, or gardening. He especially loved hiking, was a member of several hiking clubs, and spent many hours in the woods hiking with his lifelong friend Dave Hochella.
Steve’s true passion in life was music. Steve picked up a bass guitar for the first time as a teenager, and never put it down. He played in many, many local bands over the years, and was
the first bass player for Jay and the Techniques. He played with the Shillings, the Echos, and several local praise bands. He also loved to jam with friends, at home or local venues, and often
filled in for other musicians playing bass. He continued to hone his skills his entire life by taking lessons from professional bass instructors around the Lehigh Valley and attending “Bass Camp” with world famous bassist Victor Wooten.
Steve will be lovingly remembered by wife Sharon, daughter Shana (Chris Nace), niece Samantha, nephew Rob (Karin and their son Justin), and brother-in-law Bob. He will also be greatly missed by Sharon’s extended family, including sister- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and mother-in-law Orchid Zimpfer (95). Steve was predeceased by his sister Donna.
Services: Friday, June 3rd at 11:00 am,
Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. 274 N. Krocks Rd., Allentown 18106. There will be a visitation hour from 10 to 11 am at the funeral home. (www. stephensfuneral.com)
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations to Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Woodbury NY; or to St. Luke’s Hospice, Bethlehem.