Steve's Journey Home

Hi, we are Rosie and James, Steve's oldest sisters. Steve was the baby of our family of five siblings and our loving mother. Steve had just turned 16 years old, got his license, and started his junior year at Lebanon high school. When Steve got his license, he was so proud to sign up to be on the organ donor registry-- along with being able to cruise around solo in the big farm truck with his tunes blasting! Steve was also on the robotics team. At their last competition, Steve had the honor of being the 'monkey' of their crew--- gorilla suit and all! If you had the privilege of knowing Steve, then you know what a kind but ornery, adventurous but laid-back, sentimental but reserved young man he was.

Unfortunately, on September 14th, a tragic event led to the loss of Steve's short life. Steve officially passed away on September 15th, surrounded by his loved ones and a dedicated team of medical staff. After the final declaration, our family had the honor of meeting with a team from Mid-America Transplant to begin the process of sharing Steve's gift of life with as many people as possible. On September 16th, friends, family, and medical staff gathered throughout the halls of the hospital, creating a Path of Honor. In true Steve fashion, it just couldn't be too serious. Loved ones all dressed in bright clothes and Hawaiian shirts, and we played Steve's summer anthem, Betty by Yung Gravy, loudy on repeat as we accompanied Steve to the next step of his heroic journey to save lives. Steve is now in the loving care of the Mid-America Transplant team, where he is never alone and a playlist crafted by his friends and family is always playing, volume to the max! Steve was sent with several items, including a matching Hawaiian shirt he picked out for a family outing and a pokemon card given to him by his nephew, Brantley.

This event was so unexpected and is not something any family ever thinks to plan for. This tragedy has pulled our family and friends away from their lives to be present to honor Steve and for us all to begin healing from this unspeakable grief. We humbly come to you and ask for your gifts to help our family and loved ones honor our sweet baby brother, our son, our uncle, our nephew, our cousin, our friend. Everything and anything will help and is appreciated beyond words. Please share memories and photos of our beloved Steve! We will post updates for services and other events as they become available.

We thank you all for your support during this time.

If you are struggling with feelings of grief, sadness, or depression, here is the number for the national toll-free hotline, you may text or call anytime, 988. Please do not hurt alone or in silence, you are loved and not alone.

If you would like to rock out with Steve to the playlist he is listening to here is the link (Please note this playlist is NOT safe for work or young ears... he was a 16 year old with a fantastic, but sometimes questionable sense of humor).