Steve Black

Stephen J. “Steve” Black, age 90, of Quincy, died on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Blessing Hospital.

Born on January 7, 1936, in Norman, Oklahoma, to Nelms and Marjorie Stanbury Black, Steve graduated from high school in Arcadia, California, in 1954. He then served two years in the United States Marine Corps, completing basic training at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California. After his honorable discharge, he studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Cal State LA.

Steve returned to his family’s roots in Quincy, where he taught art as well as all facets of English—including composition, literature, and speech—at Quincy College and Culver-Stockton College. A lifelong learner, he maintained deep interests in art, history, politics, and music. He was a devoted admirer of classical music, especially the works of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven, and a voracious reader who found particular inspiration in spirituality and the writings of Vernon Howard. Those who knew him will remember him as a kind and generous soul.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Gorby Ancelet, whom he married on April 2, 2001; two daughters, Alexis Black Holliday and Jordan (Cody) Black Todd, both of Austin, Texas; two stepchildren, Jeffrey (Ellen) Ancelet of Bloomington, Illinois, and Amy (Adin) Sloan of Quincy; and two granddaughters, Quincy and Payton Bellman. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Black, a grandson Zachary Bellman, and Barbara’s son Scott.