Carol J. (Erzen) Steiner

Carol Joann Steiner, 75, of Norton, Ohio passed away on September 12 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A lifelong learner and former math professor at Kent State University, Carol loved challenging both herself and others with incredibly hard puzzles from her beloved monthly Games magazine.  Most would throw in the towel after a few minutes, but Carol would often stick with it until the problem was solved.  As a PhD, she greatly valued the importance of education and would regularly ask family, friends, and sometimes even strangers, “where did you go to school and what did you study?”

Carol loved to travel.  She and her husband John spent much of their 640 months of marriage seeing the world whether by tent, camper, tour bus, or cruise trip.  She rarely cared where she was going, as long as it was somewhere she could meet new people and learn something new. Carol was an avid Cleveland fan, only missing a Browns or Guardians game on tv when she was teaching or in church.  One of her greatest joys was teaching her granddaughter to sew and bake.

Carol was a long-time member of Prince of Peace Parish where she regularly attended mass and served on Parish Council.  Her involvement in the Newman Center at the University of Akron and several prayer groups helped her form a deep connection to Jesus and the Catholic Church. She and John formed many lifelong friendships that were developed in faith.

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by daughters Christie Marie and Rebecca, brother Jon Erzen, and brother-in-law Allen Dunlap.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, John, daughter Emily (Andy) Little, granddaughter, Else, brother Bill (Kathy) Erzen, sister Karla Dunlap, brother Ron Erzen, brothers and sisters in law James and Brenda Steiner, Debbie Steiner, Paul Steiner, Joe and Chris Steiner, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends who formed her “found family.”

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, September 18th at 11:00 am at Prince of Peace Parish, 1263 Shannon Avenue, Barberton.  Calling hours will be held Tuesday, September 17th from 5-8 pm at the Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, 1199 Wooster Road West, Barberton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cast It Forward (https://castitforwardfishing.com/support-our-mission), an organization that Carol enjoyed and supported.