10/21/2024

James Walter “Jim” Stevenson

Date of Death: August 11, 2024

James Walter “Jim” Stevenson, of Hermitage, formerly of Sharon, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in UPMC Jameson Hospital, New Castle, Pa. He was 67 years old.

Jim was born on September 3, 1956 in Sharon, to the late Harold W. and Shirley M. (McCombs) Stevenson. He graduated from Sharon High School in 1974 and attended Penn State, Shenango Valley Campus for two years before graduating with honors from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1977. He then began his career as a funeral director at his father’s funeral home in Sharon, eventually purchasing it in 1984 and running it until 2018 when he sold the business and retired a short time later after 40 years of service to the community.

Being active in the community, Jim was Past-President and board member of Diversified Family Services for over 20 years, a board member of Meals on Wheels, a member of the Shenango Valley Kiwanis Club, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and had served as President of the Mercer County Funeral Directors Association. 

Jim loved music and was well known in the area as a drummer/vocalist with The Vara-tones, which along with his sister Patty, played at area clubs and functions for over 30 years. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the Chancel Choir and had served as Deacon and Elder. Jim enjoyed being by the ocean and made yearly trips to Myrtle Beach. He also liked golfing, traveling, gardening but most of all he loved spending time with family and friends. 

In 2023, Jim was inducted into the Sharon High School Alumni Hall of Fame and was most recently named a 2024 Buhl Day Honoree, where he spent over 10 years volunteering at various Buhl Park events.

He is survived by his sister Patty Norris and her husband Bryan, a niece Julie Eckenrod and her husband Joe and daughter Addie, all of Sharon, PA, a nephew Christopher Norris and his wife Bethany and their children Grady and Charlotte, of Erie, Pa.

Visitation will be on Thursday, from 3:00 PM till 7:00 PM at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 263 E. State Street, Sharon, PA. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM in the church with Rev. Rick Stauffer officiating. A private burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by the Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home LLC, 264 E. State Street, Sharon, Pa. 16146.

On-line condolences may be offered by visiting https://www.stevensonfuneralhome.net/obituary/james-stevenson.