David J. Stepan

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) David J. Stepan, 86, of Lynnport, PA, passed away on April 16, 2026 at the Lehigh Valley Hospice Inpatient unit in Allentown, PA. A former airline pilot and veteran of the United States Air Force, he was the husband of Dorothea (Estok) Stepan and the son of the late Anton and Rose Stepan of Leigh, NE.

Before entering the service, he graduated from the University of Nebraska (GO BIG RED). David was a pilot for Eastern Airlines until 1989 and retired from Emery Worldwide Airlines at age 60.

During his 20 years in the Air Force, he flew the T-37, T-33, C-118, C-135, and C-141A. During his time with the airlines, he flew the Lockheed L-1011, Boeing 727, and the McDonnell Douglas DC-8. One of his proudest moments as a pilot was flying First Lady Mamie Eisenhower from Alabama to England in 1989. After his military and civilian aviation careers, he devoted his life to farming in Lynnport and was a member of Jacob’s Church.

David is survived by his wife Dorothea; daughter, Katherine R. “Kate” Stepan of Buena Vista, CO; son, Michael A. (Vanessa) Stepan of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Bradley, Arlyn, and Adler; brother, Adolph (Norma) Stepan of Ashburn, VA; sister, Loretta Engelbart of Leigh, NE; nephews, Grant and Roger; and niece, Elizabeth. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Robert Engelbart, and nephew, Russell Engelbart.

David’s funeral service will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11 AM in Nester Funeral Home, 8405 Kings Highway New Tripoli, PA. Calling hour begins at 10 AM. Rev. Stanley C. Newton and Rev. Scott L. Shay will officiate. Interment with military honors will be held in Jacob’s Union Cemetery following his funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in David’s name may be made to Jacob’s Church and/or Lynnport Fire Co., sent c/o funeral home address. 

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