Stephen “Steve” Wayne Loewen, 67, of New Holland, was released from his earthly shackles on Monday, November 3, 2025. He is survived by his long-time companion and caregiver Judith Bachman and her son, Jason Bachman, his father Arthur Loewen, stepmother Kathy, sisters Julia Maclay (Dave), Lucinda Mellinger (Randy); nephews Adam and Cullen Maclay and Cody and Brady Mellinger. Preceding him in death were his beloved uncles Rev. Dr. Park Ranck (Janet), Wayne Ranck Jr. (Geraldine), Henry Loewen (Virginia) and aunt Betty Summers (Linden); and of course, his special maternal grandparents Wayne and Alta Ranck and paternal grandparents Henry and Helen Loewen. His mother Louise Loewen was tragically killed in a car wreck in March 1976 which also resulted in Steve breaking his neck and living 49 1/2 years as a quadriplegic. At the time of the wreck, Steve had already been accepted to Penn State for electronic engineering/technician. At that time buildings and college classrooms were not accommodating to those in wheelchairs, hence he ended up not attending college.
In the spring of 1977, Steve was approached by William Hartman, owner of a small CB/electronics store in New Holland who wanted to know if Steve would buy him out. It also included a Radio Shack franchise, which had just been obtained. The store was located off the beaten path at 101 S Railroad Ave. After two years Steve decided to move to the old Post Office building at 125 W Main St, New Holland. That building turned out to be too costly to maintain and heat. An opportunity came for him to move to the famous “Charlie’s Cut Rate” at 375 W Main St. He expanded the store, but a few years later Charlie retired and the building was sold so he had to move. Tired of renting, he found the current location at 331 E Main St where the business went gang busters and expanded twice. The store was the place to go until Walmart came in and the advent of online sales with Amazon, etc. Sales flattened out, but Steve was still making a good living by having a niche market with very loyal customers, especially the Plain community.
Due to the mentorship of his grandfather, Wayne Ranck and local funeral director Edgar O. Beck, Jr. (both veterans), Steve learned at a very young age, the importance of community events and keeping traditions alive in the area. Because of these two men, Steve would always follow along on the Memorial Day pilgrimage to the 13 cemeteries in Eastern Lancaster County. He witnessed the respectful and solemn ceremony at the graves of the fallen.
In 1981 while going on the pilgrimage, he met his friend George Weaver, who played trumpet with the New Holland band. George stated the need for an antique car show in New Holland.
Steve joined the Jaycees to have a backing organization and in July of 1982, they had the first car show which was a huge success. The second year was even greater. Year three of the car show they went to pre-registration, only because of the relocation of the swimming pool to part of the area used by the car show. Unfortunately, the Jaycees were declining, so George suggested it was a perfect project for the New Holland Band. So, they called it “Vintage Sights & Sounds.” Other local towns were so impressed with how the show was run, Steve was asked to help start 17 other car shows.
After the first show in 1982, Terre Hill mayor, Bill Corwin, asked Steve to help start a show in his town. Then the dam burst! Bill knew Steve liked car racing, but it was too hot to sit out all day at a NASCAR race. Bill suggested Steve go to a drag race with him, which allows you to watch cars, go to the pits and watch them rebuild the cars in the back, all in less than 1 hour. Soon after Bill became race director for Kendall Motor Oil. One of the teams falling under that umbrella was Frank Manzo, alcohol funny car driver. Frank, Michele, and crew chief John Glade welcomed Steve into their pit area and made him part of the team. A year later Steve was able to become an associate sponsor on the funny car (name on the front quarter of the nose). Because of this he was able to get behind the starting line with the guys and sit 15 feet from the car. Frank’s funny car would run ¼ mile in 5.45 sec., 267 mph. The connection with the team was life changing for Steve. Judi and he traveled the East Coast to races in a custom-built trailer, getting to know all the top names in NHRA drag racing. They became fast friends with everyone in the “alcohol pits.”
Frank was the winningest, most successful “sportsman” racer in all of NHRA history. He garnered over 250 trophies and won 17 world championships. Steve was with him for 15 of those championships. Frank retired in 2013, and then Steve began being part of the Dan and Beth Pomponio alcohol funny car team. Because of his longevity, the announcers on major TV networks would talk about Steve periodically during the broadcasts.
Steve was involved in countless New Holland community projects including the Farm Show and parade, where for over 40 years he announced the New Holland Fair parade from the Tug-O-War stand.
He also served on the New Holland Park Board starting in 1984 when the “new” swimming pool was being built, which is now reaching the end of its life.
His grandfather Wayne Ranck was a member of the NH Lions Club for over 50 years and led the singing for all kinds of community events until his death in 1978. Because of his grandfather, Steve joined the Lions and was a member for many years until his health started declining.
He also worked with Christmas on Main, NH Rec Center and in 2003 the celebration of the 275th anniversary of the founding of New Holland. Out of that group came the founding of the New Holland Area Historical Society (NHAHS).
Steve cofounded NHAHS with Mitch Dissinger and Brian Frankhouser. Their dream was to someday have a museum containing everything near and dear to New Holland. As fate would have it, in 2007 Kauffman’s Hardware at 201 E Main St retired and Steve’s friend Scott Monger suggested he purchase the west two thirds of the building for rentals, with the museum on the second floor. Steve was over the moon with delight as he was now the owner of the landmark building of New Holland. But what a mess it was, needing 31 windows, 6 new HVAC units, electrical rewiring, plumbing and a new roof.
He also was a 2010 WGAL Jefferson Award winner for outstanding public service.
When Steve got home from the hospital in the fall of 1976, a church acquaintance told him, “Your brain and your mouth still work.” That man was Don Welsh, who in 2009 assembled a prestigious board of community leaders; they saw Steve’s vision to create a museum, which included income generating revenue on the first floor, and made it happen. New Holland now has a vibrant, ever changing exhibit space, for visitors to enjoy and reminisce.
Steve helped with Christmas on Main which moved from the park to Main Street in order to help the downtown business people. He also served on the library auction committee for years. Steve was also proud to serve on the Chad Burkhart Wrestling Scholarship committee for many years until his death.
Lowell Park played Santa for Kauffman’s Store from about 1987 until they closed. Steve, wanting to continue this tradition, had Santa come to Radio Shack for 1 or 2 years before the museum was finished. Lowell has done Santa for approx. 47 years, continuing even after moving to Virginia.
Steve traveled to work through the St. Stephen church cemetery driveways. One day he noticed the church steeple was tilted East, and a few days later it was even worse. He had Bob Spotts and Tom Kopp check the steeple, and they noticed the wood had deteriorated so badly that the hurricane straps were the only thing holding it up. Steve suggested they “lift the steeple off” and work on it on the ground. A lot of money and work went into restoring/replacing the entire steeple. It is 95% the same as the original but is built to last another 100 years.
Steve was a member of St. Stephen U.C.C., now know as St. Stephen Reformed Church, where his grandfather, Wayne Ranck, started the church handbell choir in the late 1950’s. Steve’s sister, Julie, eventually took over leadership for 22 years and expanded it so that more handbells needed to be purchased.
After reading a Ranck Family newsletter, Steve became quite interested in stories he remembered from the annual Ranck reunions. He is the 9th generation of Rancks in America. The Rancks arrived from Mannheim Germany in August 1728 (Ranck Road and Ranck’s church are directly related to Steve). Ironically his car wreck was right in the middle of the original Ranck property. At the time of his death, Steve was President of the Ranck Family Reunion.
Steve thanks his longtime caregiver of 37+ years, brother-in-law Dave Maclay as well as his caregiver since 2016, Ralph Hess. Although only a few people have been mentioned by name, there have been hundreds of others who came into Steve’s life at exactly the right time who were a blessing to him.
There will be two viewings; one on Thursday evening Nov. 13, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. and 10-11 a.m. prior to the 11 a.m. service Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 all at St. Stephen Reformed Church, 249 E. Main St., New Holland PA.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the New Holland Area Historical Society, PO Box 464, New Holland PA 17557.
