Stephen Bostic Houchins
Title
Stephen Bostic Houchins
Source
Anderson McDaniel Funeral Home
Date
June 9, 2025
Text
Stephen Bostic Houchins, 88, crossed over into eternal life in his own home on June 9, 2025, while with his daughters and his youngest grandchild.
Born in Sanger, WV on October 1, 1936 to William Charles “Bill” and Jessie Virginia Bostic Houchins, his family relocated to Ohio in 1945, where he grew up in the Coal Valley area of Vinton, Ohio. He graduated from Vinton High School in 1955, and immediately married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, A. Victoria (Vicki) Casto, on July 1, 1955 in Columbus, Ohio. Married for over forty-one years, until her death in 1997, they made their home and raised their family in Middleport, Ohio.
Drafted in 1959, Steve served in the US Army until 1962. Stationed in Germany, his tour of duty was extended due to the Berlin Crisis and the building of the Berlin Wall. A machinist by trade, Steve was employed by Motor Parts in Middleport, followed by G & J Auto Parts (which eventually became Big A, then Carquest) in Gallipolis until his retirement in May 2000. He was a member of Lodge #363, Free & Accepted Masons, Middleport, Ohio; a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus; Aladdin Temple Shrine, Columbus, Ohio; and Chapter #255 Order of Eastern Star, Harrisonville, Ohio. He was also a member of Feeney-Bennet Post #128, American Legion, Middleport, Ohio and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4464, Gallipolis, Ohio and served on the Middleport Village Council.
Deeply faithful, Steve attended the Vinton Methodist Church while growing up. As an adult, he was an active member of Heath United Methodist Church, Middleport, Ohio, where he served on various committees in multiple capacities. A lover of gospel music and hymns, Steve was also a member of the church choir for many years. Most recently, he attended Rocksprings United Methodist Church, Pomeroy, Ohio. He took great pride in being able to fill a pew (or two) with his family.
Steve is survived by his three daughters: Jo Angela Robinson, Wilmington, Ohio; Stephanie Jean (Bradley W) Alexander, Vinton, Ohio, and Susan Elizabeth (Hubert A.) Eason, Pomeroy, Ohio; six grandchildren: Katharine V. (Francois Henrist) Alexander, Carol A. (Joseph) Hager, Nicholas W. (Ashley)Alexander, Jessica E. (Riley) Abrahamson, Bostic H. Eason, and Katelynne M. Robinson; six great-grandchildren: Everly, Olive, and Hannon Hager; Rhys and Rowan Abrahamson; and Mason Alexander; his sister-in-law, Karen Robinson, multiple nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Bella – all in who he took great pride and joy and who miss him greatly.
In addition to being preceded in death by his parents and wife, Steve was preceded in death by his two sisters, who affectionately called him “brother” his entire life, and their spouses: Wilma (Calvin N) Hall and Billie Jo (John) Krawsczyn; and son-in-law, Daryl Robinson.
The family extends a special thanks to Dr Wesley Lieving, Rivers Health Home Health, Amedysis Hospice Service, the Meigs County Council on Aging/Meals on Wheels, and Right at Home Caregiver, Janet McDaniel.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 1pm at Heath United Methodist Church, Middleport, Ohio, with preservice music and preservice calling starting at 12:30, and military funeral honors by Feeney-Bennet Post #128, American Legion, at 12:55pm. Calling hours will be held Friday, June 13, from 6-8pm at Anderson-McDaniel Funeral Home, Middleport, Ohio with Eastern Star and Masonic Rites held at 8pm. In accordance with his wishes, Steve will be cremated with his ashes interred at Vinton Memorial Park, Vinton, Ohio, next to his wife at a later time. Immediately following the service, a memorial dinner by the ladies of Heath United Methodist Church for all in attendance will be served. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Meigs County Council on Aging/Meals on Wheels program.
Born in Sanger, WV on October 1, 1936 to William Charles “Bill” and Jessie Virginia Bostic Houchins, his family relocated to Ohio in 1945, where he grew up in the Coal Valley area of Vinton, Ohio. He graduated from Vinton High School in 1955, and immediately married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, A. Victoria (Vicki) Casto, on July 1, 1955 in Columbus, Ohio. Married for over forty-one years, until her death in 1997, they made their home and raised their family in Middleport, Ohio.
Drafted in 1959, Steve served in the US Army until 1962. Stationed in Germany, his tour of duty was extended due to the Berlin Crisis and the building of the Berlin Wall. A machinist by trade, Steve was employed by Motor Parts in Middleport, followed by G & J Auto Parts (which eventually became Big A, then Carquest) in Gallipolis until his retirement in May 2000. He was a member of Lodge #363, Free & Accepted Masons, Middleport, Ohio; a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus; Aladdin Temple Shrine, Columbus, Ohio; and Chapter #255 Order of Eastern Star, Harrisonville, Ohio. He was also a member of Feeney-Bennet Post #128, American Legion, Middleport, Ohio and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4464, Gallipolis, Ohio and served on the Middleport Village Council.
Deeply faithful, Steve attended the Vinton Methodist Church while growing up. As an adult, he was an active member of Heath United Methodist Church, Middleport, Ohio, where he served on various committees in multiple capacities. A lover of gospel music and hymns, Steve was also a member of the church choir for many years. Most recently, he attended Rocksprings United Methodist Church, Pomeroy, Ohio. He took great pride in being able to fill a pew (or two) with his family.
Steve is survived by his three daughters: Jo Angela Robinson, Wilmington, Ohio; Stephanie Jean (Bradley W) Alexander, Vinton, Ohio, and Susan Elizabeth (Hubert A.) Eason, Pomeroy, Ohio; six grandchildren: Katharine V. (Francois Henrist) Alexander, Carol A. (Joseph) Hager, Nicholas W. (Ashley)Alexander, Jessica E. (Riley) Abrahamson, Bostic H. Eason, and Katelynne M. Robinson; six great-grandchildren: Everly, Olive, and Hannon Hager; Rhys and Rowan Abrahamson; and Mason Alexander; his sister-in-law, Karen Robinson, multiple nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Bella – all in who he took great pride and joy and who miss him greatly.
In addition to being preceded in death by his parents and wife, Steve was preceded in death by his two sisters, who affectionately called him “brother” his entire life, and their spouses: Wilma (Calvin N) Hall and Billie Jo (John) Krawsczyn; and son-in-law, Daryl Robinson.
The family extends a special thanks to Dr Wesley Lieving, Rivers Health Home Health, Amedysis Hospice Service, the Meigs County Council on Aging/Meals on Wheels, and Right at Home Caregiver, Janet McDaniel.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 1pm at Heath United Methodist Church, Middleport, Ohio, with preservice music and preservice calling starting at 12:30, and military funeral honors by Feeney-Bennet Post #128, American Legion, at 12:55pm. Calling hours will be held Friday, June 13, from 6-8pm at Anderson-McDaniel Funeral Home, Middleport, Ohio with Eastern Star and Masonic Rites held at 8pm. In accordance with his wishes, Steve will be cremated with his ashes interred at Vinton Memorial Park, Vinton, Ohio, next to his wife at a later time. Immediately following the service, a memorial dinner by the ladies of Heath United Methodist Church for all in attendance will be served. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Meigs County Council on Aging/Meals on Wheels program.
Original Format
Collection
Citation
“Stephen Bostic Houchins,” Meigs County Library History Site, accessed December 6, 2025, https://history.meigslibrary.org/items/show/26450.