Steven Six

Steven L. Six, 62, of Petrolia, formerly of Karns City, went home to be with his Heavenly Father at 3:40 a.m. Saturday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.

Born on June 17, 1951, in Bloomfield, Iowa, Mr. Six was the son of the late Charles Henry Six Jr. and Betty McElroy Six McClure. He lived most of his life in Butler and Armstrong County.

Mr. Six was the executive director of Specialty Outreach Services, Inc., a nondenominational ministry in Butler. He founded the ministry in 1985, and was instrumental in reaching out to those in need in the surrounding area. Through the ministry, he helped hundreds of young men and women deal with difficulties in their lives.

Mr. Six felt called to the ministry as an evangelist after his conversion in 1981. Thus, his main concern was that the young people live Godly lives and that they come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. He had served as a chaplain at the Butler County Prison, and he was recognized by the Butler County Commissioners for his work with the inmates. In 2003, he was recognized for his work with young people through the juvenile court system.

Mr. Six was also widely known throughout the Western Pennsylvania for his involvement in boxing. He began boxing in 1975, and in 1976 became a member of the Butler Cubs boxing team. He boxed, coached, trained and managed fighters at Cubs Hall for over 33 years. Known as the Cherokee Kidd, he was recognized for his punching power, determination and competitive desire, plus a willingness to climb into the ring with just about anyone.

He retired from active competition in 1987, after losing a decision for the Western Pennsylvania Golden Glove title. He retired at the age of 35, as the number two ranked heavyweight in Western Pennsylvania. He came out of retirement for one last bout in 2003, at the age of 51.

After stepping out of the ring, he worked with numerous boxers at various stages of their careers from beginners to national champions and professionals.

Throughout his career, as an evangelist and a member of the boxing society, Mr. Six strived to do the right thing in all situations. He especially tried to do right by his “boys and girls,” the young people who participated in the ministry programs. He would unofficially adopt all of the young people involved in the programs and had a genuine concern for their welfare.

He graduated from Karns City High School in 1969, and attended Butler County Community College, Toccoa Falls Bible College in Toccoa Falls, Ga., and graduated in 1995 from Geneva College in Beaver County.

He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in America in Butler and had belonged to the Chicora Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Chicora. As a lay minister, he had preached at a number of churches throughout Butler, Clarion and Allegheny counties.

Besides belonging to the Butler Cubs Athletic and Social Association, he was a member of the Three Rivers Council for the American Indian. He belonged to the Christian Counselors of Correctional Chaplains Associations. He had also served as vice president of the Allegheny Mountain Boxing Association, which is part of the USA Amateur Boxing Federation.

He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Gary (Stephani) Piper of Bruin, and his son, Garrett L. (Sara) Scott of Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Sabrina, Brandon, Braedon and Brianna Piper and Brianna and Lily Scott; his seven sisters, Cinda Six and her husband, Harry Boltz, of Petrolia, with whom he had lived in recent days, Mrs. Robert (Edith) Pennington of East Brady, Becky Six and her husband, Paul Edmunds, of Flanders, N.J., Grace Six of Kirksville, Mo., Mrs. Marty (Lila) Thompson of Drakesville, Iowa, Ms. Kim Fisher of Blakesburg, Iowa and Amanda Six of Glenwood, Iowa; his brother, Daniel Six of East Brady, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Robert F. McClure; his sister, Sherry Silvas; three brothers, Andrew Six, Michael Six and Randall Six, and far too many of his “boys and girls.”

SIX — The friends of Steven L. Six, who passed away Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Chicora Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 310 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora, with the Rev. Paul DeBacco of the Crisswell Bible Baptist Church, Karns City, officiating. A private burial will take place in the Bradys Bend Cemetery.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.