Kenneth E. Steller

Kenneth E. Steller of Newark, Delaware peacefully passed away at the age of 76 on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.  He was in the comfort of his home.

Ken was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1941, son of William J. and Sallie (Fenninger) Steller, who predeceased him in 1979 and 1975, respectively.  A 1963 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, he earned his B.A. in Chemistry and went on to earn his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Northwestern University in 1967.  Ken was a member of the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi and Phi Beta Kappa.  He was employed with Hercules, Inc. for 27 years, serving in a variety of managerial roles before retiring in 1995 as Director of Technology for the Resins Division.  Ken published articles in several technical journals while in graduate school, wrote a chapter in the book, “Polyethers” while at Hercules, and authored a book, “A Mainlander’s Guide to Hawaii – What the First-Time Traveler Should Know” after his retirement.

In addition to education and occupation, Ken was blessed with good fortune in his private life as well.  Ken’s interests included golf, fishing and gardening.  He will especially miss all of his golfing buddies.

Ken is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bonnie L. (Stauffer) Steller; his daughters, Kimberly L. Carney (Tom) and Tracey A. Hess (Tim); his grandchildren, Brianna N. and Courtney P. Leromain, Joshua A. Hess; his sisters, Kathryn L. Hillard (Lewis) and Jean Y. Pontz (George); his sister-in-law, Carole Steller; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ken was predeceased by his brother, William A. Steller.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Wednesday, February 21 from 10:00AM-12:00PM, with funeral services immediately following.  Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ken may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720 (www.cancer.org) or Faithful Friends, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804 (www.faithfulfriends.us). 

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