Stephen Lee Sniderman

Stephen Lee Sniderman, 80, passed away October 1, 2023 at Heritage Manor Rehabilitation and Retirement Community in Youngstown, Ohio from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Stephen was born February 25, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan to Solomon and Bessie Bates Sniderman.

He graduated from Mumford High School in 1960, and received his BA from Michigan State University in 1964, his MA from University of Michigan in 1965, and his PhD. from the University of Wisconsin in 1969.

Stephen was an English professor at Youngstown State University from 1969 through 2010. During his 41 years at YSU he taught many freshman English classes as well as American literature and creative writing. His favorite book to teach was Huckleberry Finn. He also enjoyed the unique writing of William Faulkner and published an article about one of Faulkner’s short stories “A Rose for Emily.”  

He served on the YSU English Festival Board and fashioned a tracking system for registering students who attended the festival. In addition, he created many games and activities that were used during the festival. At each days awards ceremony Stephen loved to stand at the bottom of the steps to shake the hands of each student as they descended the stage.

He enjoyed tennis, racketball, pickleball, ping-pong, bridge and chess, but most of all making up games. He had countless puzzles and games published in Games Magazine, as well as the New York Times and Reader’s Digest. He also had two published books of puzzles “Language Lovers Word Puzzles” and “Grid Play.” For seven years he ran an online game “Superclues” with participants from around the country.  One of his earliest games was “Together,” a cooperative game for all ages.

In addition to his passion for games, Stephen wrote many plays. “Gulliver” and “Stranger” were musicals performed at YSU. “Gulliver” was also presented on the main stage at the Youngstown Playhouse. A few of his other plays that were presented in Youngstown included “The Crossing,” “The Kissing Bandit,” and “The Grand Design.” His play “The Trial of Big Bill Haywood” was performed at YSU as well as at the Theatre Americana in Altadena, CA and at the American Theatre of Actors in New York, NY. His exceptional use of language made these plays interesting, poignant, and engaging.

There are some trademark behaviors that Stephen’s family and friends grew to associate with him. He loved his daily peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, his fresh fruit, his afternoon naps, and tennis matches on TV. He usually wore button down collar shirts and always a hat when the weather turned cool.  In addition, he brought gales of laughter to children and adults alike when he spoke jibberish as if he were having a real conversation. Friends could always count on Stephen to have quips and jokes and delightful twists with language.

In addition, Stephen loved books, dogs, humor, and words. He spent countless hours writing and editing the 125th and the 150th  anniversary commemorative books for Congregation Rodef Sholom.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Marilyn; his three children Peter (Lydia) Sniderman of Charleston SC, Lani (Steve) Weatherhead of Alexandria, VA, and Andy (Brenna) Sniderman of Wynnewood, PA.; and five grandchildren, Sam Weatherhead,  Shila and Gideon Sniderman, and Henry and Abbott Sniderman.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Karl Sniderman.

A memorial service will be held Thursday October 5th at 12 noon at Shriver-Allison-Courtley-Weller-King Funeral Home 292 Madison Avenue in Youngstown.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Manor for their exemplary care of Stephen during his three years of living in the facility.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the YSU English Festival at YSU, 1 University Plaza, Youngstown Ohio 44555 or a charity of donor’s choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Shriver-Allison-Courtley-Weller-King Funeral Home.
Friends and family may view this obituary and share memories and condolences at www.shriverallisoncourtleyfuneral home.com.

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