Chris will always be remembered as a laid back, fun-loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was always available to lend a helping hand, word of advice, a shoulder to cry on, or a joke to lighten the mood. He counseled anyone who was in trouble, especially young people. He made friends easily everywhere he went.
He loved fishing, camping and sports of all kinds. He never missed the opportunity to watch his grandchildren in a game, a theater production, a recital and was known to frequent the Wheeling Symphony. He especially loved country music, but also looked forward to the Heritage Blues Fest and even got to see his musical hero Willie Nelson in a live performance.
He had a great love for the Lord, and despite his obstacles in life, stayed prayerful. He was a part of the Church of the Nazarene growing up and was baptized into the Catholic Church in 1998. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Neffs and spent his time in the choir singing alongside his wife Becky while she played the organ. He was also a part of the Parish Council and a CCD teacher and enjoyed planning activities for the youth. His favorite was the whitewater rafting trip. He was a jack-of-all-trades working as a Bellaire City Policeman, an insurance agent and he worked with Pittsburgh Sand and Gravel. He was a manager at Fireplaces’N’Fixins and owned his own construction company. He was a CDL truck driver for many years as well. He was a teacher for the elementary school. It was his dream to build a recreation center for the kids at St. John to utilize. He was a guard for the WV Penitentiary and in his retirement enjoyed serving as a security guard for many different companies. In retirement, he also enjoyed specialty advertising and network marketing. He served his country as a proud member of the United States Air Force and the United States Army. He served three tours in Vietnam and always hoped to return. He also received the “Order of Purple Heart”. He loved to volunteer. He was part of the Ohio Valley Relief Center and also transported veterans to the VA Hospital when needed. He left his house to help others work on theirs and would answer the call if anyone needed him day or night. Despite his spinal cord injury in 2013, he still enjoyed driving and shopping. He even drove seven hours to adopt Jemma, his pit bull. She and his favorite cat, Baby Girl, will miss him tremendously. He loved traveling to Florida, where he lived a couple years, but his favorite trip was to Ireland, while he was still confined to a wheelchair. Chris was born in Sistersville, WV on November 28, 1942, the son of the late Floyd T. (Pete) and Verna I. (Margie) Grimm Stead. He was a graduate of Sherrard High School, but was actively involved with the alumni association of both Sherrard and Paden City High Schools. Chris leaves behind to hold onto his precious memories and unique sense of humor, his wife of 21 years; Rebecca (Gray) Stead, St. Clairsville, OH; his children, Todd Stead (Angela) Manassas,VA; Troy Stead, Columbus,OH; Toni Lynn (Stead) Ledbetter (Brian), Xenia,OH; Marci Muckleroy (Todd) Canfield, OH; and stepchildren Kevin Bickmeier (Denielle) Canonsburg, PA and Angela Theil (Richard) Cincinnati,OH; fourteen grandchildren; his brothers Larry Stead (Connie) Morgantown, WV; Ken Stead (Linda) Paden City,WV; and his sisters Rita Young, Moundsville, WV; and Alice Ewing (Bill), Wheeling, WV. He is preceded in death by his youngest brother Tony Stead.
Family and friends will be received at Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory 441 37th Street Bellaire, Oh on Thursday from 11 am until time of Mass at 1 pm at the St. John Catholic Church, Bellaire with Fr. Daniel Heusel as celebrant. Chris’ family respectfully request masks and social distance be observed. Interment in the Belmont County Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Clairsville with Full Military Honors by the Moundsville Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Academy by going to TMCFunding.com.
To view service please CLICK HERE.
Share your thoughts and memories with Chris’s family at www.bauknechtaltmeyer. com.
Becky,
So sorry to hear about Chris. You have my deepest sympathy.
Patty Bauknecht Valloric
We will never forget Chris, warmth and love he shared with our family and our extended family in Brazil. Margaret & Paulo Buchmann will never forget how Chris and Becky cared for and loved their daughter just as one of their own. We all are absolutely heartbroken of Chris’s passing. We pray for Becky and his huge family during this difficult time.
Chris will always be a great father and great friend. God bless him and all love surround him.
So sorry Becky you will see him again in Heaven.Heaven is his reward be happy for him. May God comfort his family REV 21 READ IN Bible and Rev 22 + Matthew 5
You
Larry & Connie, so sorry to hear of your loss. Chris will be missed by many individuals from his past.
Larry and Connie, It’s been a very long time (too long) since we’ve talked and shared experiences at WL. Bill, Mike and I want to extend our sincere condolences to you and your whole family on your brother’s passing. Keep in touch. You’re in our prayers.
Tom
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Chris Stead, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten.
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of ….
US Air Force/Army Veteran, Chris Stead, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†
† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †
Becky, I’m so very sorry to hear about Chris. He was such a great guy and I have memories going way back to our high school years but more memories from planning Sherrard Alumni Dinners. He was a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
One thing my dad taught me, that I’ve used with my son, is this.. “The first time I come get you, it’s an experience. The 2nd time it’s a mistake. Then there are consequences!”
There are other subtle things but that one sticks out. I’m gonna miss you dad!