Stephen R. "Flash" Sterzen

April 20, 1927 - March 27, 2021

Stephen R. "Flash" Sterzen, husband, father, grandfather, brother, outdoorsman, of Howard Ave. Coaldale, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at home while in the care of his children, at 93 years of age. Born Wednesday, April 20, 1927 in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Koch) Sterzen.  He was also predeceased by his beloved wife, Esther P. (Wescott) Sterzen on Nov. 24, 2013; sisters, Mary Terry, Margaret Grover, Anna Hydock; brothers, Joseph, John, and George Sterzen. A graduate of the former Nesquehoning High School, Stephen served honorably in the United States Navy during WWII. Stephen worked for the former Bundy Tubing of Tamaqua, Consolidated Cigar of McAdoo, and for #11 Colliery of Coaldale. An accomplished athlete Stephen played semi-pro football for the Nesquehoning Hurricanes, playing Tight End, and Defensive End; semi pro baseball.  Stephen was a District 11 Football referee for many years.  An ardent outdoorsman, Stephen hunted, fished, and spent many days walking in the woods mushroom and huckleberry picking.  He was a member of the Coaldale American Legion, and St. John XXIII R.C.C. of Tamaqua. Surviving are son, Richard S. Sterzen and his wife Janet of Martinez, GA,;  daughter, Linda Scotti and her husband Donald of Essex Junction, VT,;  sister, Frances DiGiacomo of Emmaus;  grandchildren, Sarah and her husband Aaron, Julia, Dan and his wife Rafaella;  great grandchildren, Atticus, Ruby. Many nieces and nephews also survive Stephen. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. A Graveside Funeral Services will be at 10 o'clock AM on Wednesday March 31, 2021 at Sky View Memorial Park  located at 108 Lafayette Ave.  Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.  Military Honors to be bestowed. Memorials in his name to: St Luke's Hospice 2455 Black River Road Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015 Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com