Mr. Kenneth E. “Gene” Stephey, 83, of Waynesboro, passed away Friday, August 21, 2026 in Doey’s House, Hagerstown.
Born September 29, 1942 in Waynesboro, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Wilma (Johnson) Stephey.
He was a graduate of Waynesboro High School with the Class of 1960. He received his BS in Elementary Education in 1964 and his Master’s Degree in 1967, both from Shippensburg University.
Gene dedicated 40 years teaching at the Elementary School level, teaching 4th grade at North Street Elem., Waynesboro from 1964-1966; 5th grade at Paramount Elementary in Washington Co. MD from 1967-1969; 4th and 5th grade in addition to being the media teacher at Potomac Heights Elementary in Washington Co, MD from 1970-1977; and 4th, 5th & Talented and Gifted Program at Pangborn Elementary from 1978 until his retirement in 2003.
In 2001, he was the recipient of the Teacher of Excellence Award which recognized him as one of the outstanding teachers in Washington Co., MD. Following his retirement, volunteered as a Math tutor at Fairview Elementary School for many years.
He attended Five Forks Brethren in Christ Church where he donated his time to serve on the Child Abuse Prevention Patrol (CAPP), Food Pantry, as an Usher, in the Sunday Cafeteria and Children’s Nursery. More recently, he attended Gathered By Grace in Mont Alto. He also was a former member of Eagles Club, Inc., Joe Stickell American Legion Post #15 and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge # 1191, all of Waynesboro.
Gene enjoyed sports of all types. His favorite teams were the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Golden State Warriors and Shippensburg University and Mount Saint Mary’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Football. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, he helped coach the Tastee Freeze Little League Team with “Speed” Haugh and Claude Yingling. He coached girls’ softball for over 8 years and then umpired girls’ softball for another 7 years. He loved playing men’s slo-pitch softball, playing for 30 years. He also loved to play golf even though he wasn’t very good at it.
Gene loved animals of all kinds, especially his dogs, Pebbles, Babe, Taya, Binky, Snuggles, Lucy, Charlie and Shadow and his kittens, Mittens, Georgie and Kitty Kitty. He looked forward to summer vacations at Ocean City, Wildwood and Myrtle Beach.
He is survived by his wife of over 17 years, Mrs. Jane L. (Miller) Kirkpatrick Stephey, who he married December 18, 2008; daughters, Tracey Stockslager (Don), Gina Snodderly Moore (Tom) and Kayla Pepple; grandchildren, Max Stockslager (Amy) and Mackenzie Stockslager; great-grandchildren, Mia & Henry Stockslager; sister, Carol Stephey of Waynesboro; step-sons, Michael Kirkpatrick (Jen) and David Kirkpatrick; step-grandchildren, Kara, Lauren, Leah and Bailey; and a host of extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son-in-law, Ed Snodderly; and his brother, Ronald Stephey.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Green Hill Cemetery, 953 S. Potomac St., Waynesboro.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M., Friday in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Antietam Humane Society, 8513 Lyons Road, Waynesboro PA 17268 or Justice Rescue, 2417 Welsh Road, Suite 21 #326, Philadelphia, PA 19114.
