Watch, jewelry veteran Steve Shonebarger dies

Chantilly, Va.--Steve Shonebarger, an industry veteran who held positions with various firms throughout his decades-long career in watches and jewelry, died suddenly on Sunday. He was 66. 

According to his current employer, Shonebarger died shortly after returning home from a company trip for de Grisogono USA, where he was working as vice president of wholesale for the U.S. market. 

Shonebarger’s career in the jewelry industry spanned more than 25 years. 

In the early to mid-1990s, he worked as the senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for Mayors jewelers in Miami before moving on to Harry Winston and then Bulgari, holding the title of senior vice president at both. 

In 2009, Shonebarger became executive vice president and chief operating officer of Corum North America when its Swiss parent company, Montres Corum SRL, bought out and reorganized Corum USA LLC. At the time of his appointment, Corum CEO Antonio Calce said the brand would benefit from Shonebarger’s sound experience in the U.S. market. 

He held various roles with Corum for a little over five years, eventually relocating to Chantilly, Va. 

In March of this year, he accepted the position of vice president of wholesale in the U.S. for Geneva-based watch and jewelry brand de Grisogono. 

Shonebarger is survived by five children, Shannon Steven and Brandon Leo Shonebarger, Marissa Victoria Garraux, Sarah Ellen Lokerson and Meredith Christine Beyer; his mother, Mary Elizabeth Beaty Shonebarger; two sisters, Rebecca Jane Grein and Mary Lee Uhl; three brothers, Mark Anthony, Christopher James and William Francis Shonebarger; and six grandchildren, Ryan Keith, Colin Shannon and Steel Gage Shonebarger; Hannah Victoria and Natalie Renae Beyer; and Madeleine Ruth Garraux, with two more expected soon.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leo Francis Shonebarger.

A native of Lancaster, Ohio, Shonebarger enjoyed sports, particularly the Ohio State Buckeyes and golf, and was known as a pillar of the watch and jewelry industry. 

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Moser Funeral Home in Warrenton, Va.

A mass of Christian burial is scheduled for Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Chantilly, with interment to follow at Bright View Cemetery in Warrenton. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Timothy’s or The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Office of Development, Fund #312269 (Heart & Vascular), P.O. Box 183112, 660 Ackerman Road,