STEVEN A. NACHLIS

The world feels a little quieter today, as we dim the marquis lights for Steven Nachlis who took his final bow on April 11, 2026 at New York Presbyterian-Columbia Hospital, after a life filled with love and laughter and enough songs to fill a Broadway season.

Steven was born on November 25, 1957 to Dorothy Gershen Nachlis and Arnold Harry Nachlis. He joined his parents and siblings, Marvin, Suze, and Lorie, at their home in Kingston. Steven graduated from Wyoming Valley West in 1975, after spending his junior year of high school in Brazil through the Rotary Club Exchange Program. He then attended Drexel University, majoring in Business. While at Drexel he became a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity as well as student body president. Following University, Steven returned to the Valley and participated in the family business, Nachlis Furniture in Plains, PA. Steven then expanded the business to include Nachlis Babyland and Kids Korner in Luzerne and then Kingston.

For many years he participated in Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre, Music Box, and the theater program at the Jewish Community Center. He was very involved in community organizations, including JayCees, Maccabi Games and Arts Fest. He was actively involved in Temple Israel and the Jewish Community Center (JCC). He served on the board of directors of the Domestic Violence Resource Center and donated his time working on the help line.

He found a second career shortly before his daughter Billie’s Bat Mitzvah through the JCC tallis weaving program. This allowed him to expand on his natural creative ability by assisting others with designing and creating unique and custom prayer shawls. Steven’s incredible love of family was an inspiration for his creative design process, where the prayer shawl enabled the recipient to be forever wrapped in the love of family.

Steven then became the director of the program. Steven struggled with strength and dignity with significant chronic health issues for many years. His love of life and family got him through one doctor and hospital visit after another, frequently exhibiting that Nachlis smile and his trademark dimple.

Steven is survived by his beloved wife, Rhondi Zigun Nachlis; his daughter, Billie Kenyon and her husband Cory; his son, Scott Nachlis and his grandchildren, Devyn and Eli. He is also survived by his sister, Lorie, along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Steven was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin Nachlis and his sister, Suze Liese.

Steven will be remembered for his dedication to family, his commitment to his community, and the kindness he extended to all who knew him.

May his memory be a blessing.

Thank you to all the nurses and staff throughout the country for their continued support, care, compassion, and understanding.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 1:00 pm. at Temple Israel Cemetery, Swoyersville, Pennsylvania. Shiva will be observed at the home of Steven and Rhondi Nachlis at 236 Butler Street, Kingston, PA at the following days and times: Tuesday from 7–9 and Wednesday and Thursday between 2 -4 and 7-9; and Friday
between 2 –4.

Memorial Contributions, if desired, can be made in Steven’s name to the Victims Resource Center at VRCnepa.org/donate or The Davidowitz Weaver Room at the JCC in Kingston at FriedmanJCC.org/donate-now.

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