Carol M. Steilner

Carol M. Steilner, 85, of Ellwood City, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her family.

Born in Ellwood City on May 22, 1940, Carol was the daughter of the late Leroy and Mary Houk Pifer. She married John Steilner on June 27, 1957, and they enjoyed sixty-eight years together. Carol retired from the Ellwood City Hospital where she worked as an operating room technician. A member of the Berean Presbyterian Church in Ellwood City, Carol enjoyed card club and bowling. Carol and John kept themselves busy attending all their grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events. She absolutely loved the time spent with her family.

In addition to her husband, John, Carol is survived by her three children, Christal Gajewski-Steilner, John (Karen) Steilner, and Doreen (Dave) Houk, all of Ellwood City, her grandchildren; Matthew (Megan) Houk, Larissa Houk, Savannah Steilner, Johnny (Jessica) Steilner, Jr., Anthony (Casey) Varrati, and Jacob (Bailey) Varrati, six great-grandchildren; Madalynn Houk, Layla Steilner, Liza Mae Steilner, Domenic Steilner, Grayson Varrati, and Peyton Varrati, a brother, William (Karen) Pifer, of South Carolina and a sister, Roberta Lewis of Georgia.

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her stepmother, Nancy Venezie Pifer.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, January 13th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 97 Grim Avenue, Ellport.

A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 14th at 11:00 AM with Rev. Bruce Gardner, celebrant. Interment will follow in Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in Carol’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.