Steve Sheetz, who helped grow chain across country, dies

ALTOONA, Pennsylvania — Steve Sheetz, whose leadership is credited for growing Sheetz Corp. into a convenience store empire, has died.He was 77.Sheetz passed away from respiratory complications in Pennslyvania on Sunday evening.The third-youngest of eight children, Steve followed his brother and company founder Bob — who was 14 years older — into the Sheetz business.Since its launch with one store called Sheetz Kwik Shopper in 1952, Sheetz Corp. has roared into its third generation with more than 800 stores across seven states (Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio and Michigan) and 27,000-plus employees.After Bob transitioned into retirement, Steve became the company's president and CEO in 1984 and remained in that capacity until 1996 when he became the chairman of the board and then chairman of the Sheetz Family Council.Under Steve's leadership, the company grew steadily and reported revenue of $14 billion, among the most by Pennsylvania businesses, in 2024.Since 2021, Sheetz has forged into Ohio — where it now has more than 100 stores — and Michigan, and is planning to open a distribution center in Findlay, Ohio, later this year.It also has distribution centers in Claysburg, Pa., and Burlington, N.C.Steve was the first Sheetz to become president of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACs), and was then followed by nephews Stan (Bob's son) and Joe (Joe's son)."Steve's guidance shaped nearly every aspect of our family business," said Joe Sheetz, current chairman of the Sheetz board of directors and Steve's nephew. "He was a mentor for every leader who has followed him and his vision, wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit will be missed deeply by everyone at Sheetz."In addition to his business success, Sheetz championed philanthropy. He and his wife, Nancy, are the largest donors in Penn State Altoona history, having committed $38 million through 2030 via the Sheetz Fellows scholarship program.Sheetz also provided leadership gifts to numerous local charities, most notably Pennsylvania Special Olympics, the Mishler Theatre, St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, The Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, the Blair County Historical Society, Operation Our Town, the Altoona Rotary Club, the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame and the ARC of Blair County."How in the world would anyone be able to create an appropriate legacy for Steve Sheetz," questioned Joe Hurd, who retired as chief executive officer from the Blair County Chamber of Commerce in 2024. "If we based it strictly on what we know he's accomplished, it would still be a shallow representation of the full picture. What he's done behind the scenes is every bit as impressive. Like pretty much all aspects of Steve's life, the business community would be incapable of recognizing his impact. He's done so much for so many."Sheetz graduated from Altoona High School in 1965 and Penn State in 1969.He is survived by his wife, Nancy, daughters Megan and Nikki, seven grandchildren and six siblings: brothers Jim, Bob, Charlie and Lou and sisters Nancy Boling and Marjorie Folcarelli. Another brother, Joe, died in 2006.Funeral arrangements are pending.