Stephen A. Lamantia 1940-2025

Steve was born on Jan. 25, 1940, in Steubenville, a son of Joseph Frank and Violet Marie Dintino Lamantia.

Steve was a graduate of Catholic Central High School and attended Xavier University in Cincinnati. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served five years.

His career began as cadet dispatcher with the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Steubenville. Upon graduating from the patrol’s 63rd Academy Class, he spent 30 years in the field, from 1963 to 1993, serving as trooper for the Warren post. He was an assistant post commander and sergeant at the Steubenville post; post commander and lieutenant at the Lebanon post; staff lieutenant and assistant commander in the Warren district; and in June 1985, he assumed command of the Warren district as captain, his position at retirement.

He also was a graduate of the FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia. From 1993 until 2003, Steve served as chief of the Howland Police Department. From 2004 to 2006, he subcontracted to work with an aerospace and defense contractor in the Washington, D.C. / Virginia area; during that period he also was a licensed private investigator, under the Ohio Department of Public Safety, a division of Homeland Security. From 2007 to 2009, he worked for the Ohio Attorney General as interim superintendent of BCI; then, as deputy director of Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, finally retiring after a career of 40-plus years.

Steve’s God and his family were the very essence of his existence. His care and love of them was deep and constant his entire life.

He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 33 years, Sandra Szepietowski Lamantia of Warren; daughters, Melissa (Scott) Moore, Stephanie Santell and Michelle Lamantia, all of Lebanon, Ohio; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Guy (Theresa) Lamantia of Steubenville; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews.

Besides his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy.

The family honored him with private services at Mosti Funeral Home, Steubenville, and burial in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the Lamantia family.

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