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Steven "Steve" Stepanek

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Georgia Southern University University of Iowa

FUNERAL HOME

Deal Funeral Directors

22757 Hwy 80 East

Statesboro, Georgia

Steven Stepanek Obituary

Steven "Steve" Stepanek, 59, died Saturday, April 18, 2015, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.
Steve was a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was a graduate of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. He had lived in Statesboro for the past eight years and taught communications at Georgia Southern University. Steve was a member of Believers Church of Statesboro and was a veteran of the United States Army and the United States Navy. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Hilton Stepanek; and his brother, Ted Stepanek.
Steve is survived by his wife, Peggy J. Stepanek of Brooklet; daughters, Carson Stepanek and Daley Stepanek, both of Statesboro; brother, John Stepanek of Texas; sister, Mary Kay Salburger, and her husband, William, of Peoria, Ill.; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2015, at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2015, in the chapel of Hodges-Moore Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Moore officiating. Burial will be in Iowa.
Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore.com to sign the guestbook and share fond memories with the Stepanek family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 515 Denmark Street #500, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, April 22, 2015
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.

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Published by Statesboro Herald from Apr. 22 to Apr. 29, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Steven Stepanek

29 Entries

Manuel Hernandez

October 29, 2015

I am saddened to hear of the news of Steve's passing; he was a former classmate at USMA and our contact had been infrequent over the years. However, we, the Company G1 member of the Class of 1978 all remember Steve well, recalling his friendship and counting him a blessing in our lives. Our condolences and prayers to his family and may Steve rest in the peaceful presence of God. In Christ, Manuel JF Hernandez, G1 '78.

May 6, 2015

Peggy - know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during this time. take care. Looks like you have quite a crew to lean on. Dave Graham (Cedar Rapids)

Laurie` Graham Valentine

May 6, 2015

Peggy and Family ....

We just learned of Steve's passing. Sooooo very, very sorry!!! Over the years, we have all lost touch with one another, but ... the past childhood memories make me smile! I guess that is kind of what can give us strength to keep going! Just keep smiling that wonderful smile you have Peggy!! Love to you and yours!!!

Mike Hlas

May 4, 2015

I admired him in high school, got to know him 30-some years later because he initiated a correspondence, and am deeply saddened by this. A smarter, wittier person, you'll probably never meet.

David Campagna

May 4, 2015

I remember Steve from school and then after school at his house. John was in my class at St Patricks and LaSalle. Very sorry for your loss. I would go over to his and John's house after school for studying, games and fun. I will keep your family in my prayers. David Campagna Bettendorf Iowa

Jim Glynn

April 30, 2015

This really hit me. Life is short. After High School I joined the Marine Corps and have lived in California ever since. For the first time I made it back for '74 Class Reunion last August. There were a few people that I really wanted to see that weren't there. Tex was one of them, and actually several of the others who have posted in this guestbook were ones that I wanted to see as well but they didn't make it either. For me this is a powerful reminder to cherish life, the ones we love and especially family. Our hearts and prayers go up for Steve's family. This is a big loss. He was truly one of a kind.

Thomas Trachta

April 29, 2015

I have not seen Steve since high school. I still remember his great sense of humor and quick wit. God bless you Steven and your family.

Mike Teply

April 29, 2015

First off, my heart and prayers go out to Steve's family for their loss. The Cedar Rapids La Salle High School Class of 1974 has lost an incredible classmate. As has been mentioned in other comments, without Steve's help I would have never survived Chemistry and Physics. On the other hand, Steve may have never learned to drive a manual transmission. Steve and I would meet to study, play garage ball in his one stall garage and toward the end of the night, take a drive in my 1962 VW "beetle". Tex desperately wanted to learn how to drive a stick shift,manual transmission. I would let Tex drive the VW to Dairy Queen, he taught me F=ma. From that time on, after our paths diverged, any time I drove a vehicle with a manual trransmission, I'd remember those night's with Tex, in the VW, driving to get a Dilly Bar. To say he was a good man is an understatement.

Mike Milota

April 29, 2015

My condolences to Tex' family and friends. He was always one to be admired in high school, the scholar and athlete. It sounds like the rest of his life was the same. I'm very sorry he left us at such a young age.

Linda Sullivan Bell

April 29, 2015

I just heard of Steve's passing. I knew Steve in high school and remember him as a very smart, and he was always making jokes and always friendly. May God's love embrace you now to help you through this difficult period. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Bill Stepanek

April 29, 2015

Tex, You were a great guy! My condolences to your family

Denise & Jeff Upah

April 29, 2015

We knew Tex in High School. Smart as a whip, with wit to match. So sorry to hear of his passing. Our condolences to all your families. God be with you all at this sorrowful time.

Dawn Jacobi Shaffer

April 29, 2015

Tex was one of the rare basketball players at LaSalle High School who could dunk the ball. When we were up by a sufficient amount, we would all eagerly anticipate the coach giving him the go ahead to dunk the ball - which was illegal and earned us a penalty. But the crowd loved it and we would go crazy cheering for him! I don't think I would have gotten a decent grade in chemistry or physics without his help! I just saw by another post that Tex was at Truman State University in Kirksville! I've lived in Kirksville for 25 years now, and never knew we shared a second hometown! I too am a believer in Christ and was thrilled to hear of his participation in a church that proclaims Christ as Lord! May the Lord meet your family in this hard time and may He give you hope and courage.

April 29, 2015

My sincere condolences go out to the Stepanek family and close friends. May the hope found in Gods' word out weigh the grief you feel. 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14

Leila Derstine

April 26, 2015

Dr. S was such a wonderful person, full of light and spark and humor and dazzling wit. I knew him as my professor during his inaugural year at GSU, where he felt compelled to teach me and all his students valuable (oft, sidesplittingly funny) lessons not just about journalism, but about life itself. His mentorship and friendship impacted my life in a tremendous way, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from, and laugh with, him. Carry on, Dr. S, carry on -- and know that you will be missed.

Greg Zipperer

April 24, 2015

So sorry to learn of Tex's passing. My favorite memory of him goes back to our grade school days at St. Pat's. He was extremely intelligent but a bit forgetful. It wasn't uncommon for our basketball coach to look at his watch and say "Someone better call him. He must have forgot again" Gotta love a guy like that.

Elizabeth Clark

April 24, 2015

I have thought about Steve several times in the years since he left Truman State. I remember his wit, his wonderful laugh, and his smile so well. I am grateful for the time he spent here and for his collegiality. My thoughts and prayers are with the Stepanek family.

Kevin Sippy

April 23, 2015

I had the pleasure of knowing Tex in high school. Tex was the smartest guy i ever knew. He had a way with words (he could be insulting you to your face but you were in stitches laughing so you didn't care) and such a dry sense of humor. I was able to pass chemistry only because of him. Fond memories from track, sitting in the back of the bus cracking jokes, trying to keep away from coach Hayes so we didn't have to run a 440. My condolence to the family. He will be deeply missed. Sip

Sade Oshinubi

April 23, 2015

Dr. Stepanek was a mentor to me helping me through college, grad school, law school, and my career. He introduced me to Communications Law. He frequently reminded me of what it means to be a productive member of society. For all of this, I am eternally grateful. I wish his family and friends great peace and comfort during this time.

Joel Boyter

April 23, 2015

He was a good friend while I taught beside him at Georgia Southern. Always finding the silver lining to any bureaucratic issues and keeping everyone's spirits up. I will miss him.

Mark Mohr

April 23, 2015

Steve was a fellow asst. professor and friend to me. I was the first person to welcome him to GSU as a member of the selection committee that brought him from the Savannah Airport to Statesboro. He was a great addition to the communications department as an academic, teacher, and a human being. He made those around him feel comfortable and of worth. I'm sorry to have left too soon to have had a longer and richer opportunity to have enjoyed his friendship. In our time together we trusted and befriended each other and I will always have those memories and his warmth and caring in my life. We will meet again in a better place Steve.
God bless Steve's family through this time of distress. My warmest regards to the staff and friends at Georgia Southern that are dealing with his absence. A light has gone out but his dream of caring and teaching is passed on to his fellows and friends to rekindle.
I miss you buddy.

Mark Kluber

April 22, 2015

I was so sorry to hear of Steve's passing.
Tex, as we called him in high school, was a wonderful friend.
I remember on the day of our graduation from La Salle we ran the 440 relay at the State track meet in Des Moines. After the race our coaches ran us over to the airport, where the company plane of a loyal La Salle booster flew Tex and me back to Cedar Rapids so we could make our graduation ceremony. The next morning I drove Tex and another teammate, Kevin Sippy, back over to the State meet. Tex won the high jump and set a State record. Sip took third in the shot put..... a pretty awesome weekend!
I also recall fondly the trips to the DQ that Tex, Sip and I took after track practice. There was constant laughter!
Rest in peace, Tex; you were taken too early. Mark

Kelsey Sorrell

April 22, 2015

Dr. Stepanek served as a wonderful mentor to all of us who had the pleasure of being his students. He challenged me to be the best journalist I could be, and helped start my career. I will miss the conversations I used to have with him either after class or in his office when I would seek his advice. They were always thought provoking and hilarious at the same time. I will miss him. My thoughts are with your family.

Nikki Wiley

April 22, 2015

Dr. Stepanek was a wonderful man and teacher. No one could hold my attention quite like he could, and no one speaks as eloquently as he spoke. Even the emails he wrote students to cancel class or announce an assignment were beautifully crafted! He was a big influence on me in college and the lessons he taught are still a part of who I am. He will be missed. My thoughts are with your family during this time.

April 22, 2015

To Peggy, Carson, Daley & the Stepanek & Lynn Families, Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. May the witt & joyful humor he shared with all of us stay present in your lives. God Bless - Love & Prayers, Jeff & Rita(Kenney) McEowen

Tom & Robyn Peffer

April 22, 2015

We are so sorry for your loss. Sending love & prayers from Peoria.

Cindy Crosby

April 22, 2015

Mr. Steve, a.k.a "Professor" as we liked to call him, was a good guy. We served on the Brooklet South Homeowner's Association together, and it was our privilege to get to know him and his lovely wife and family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a very compassionate man. He will be missed so very much. His face would always light up when he talked about taking care of his "girls." He was courageous in his fight against cancer--an inspiration to all. We are sad that he is gone, but glad that he is rejoicing with our Heavenly Father. May God comfort you during this time. Mickey, Cindy, and Mick Crosby

Mark Gambaiana

April 22, 2015

So sorry to learn of Steve's passing. May you find God's peace during this most difficult time. Our thoughts are with Peggy and the girls.

Charles Minshew

April 22, 2015

Dr. Stepanek was a mentor and a friend to me. He had a truly profound impact on my life and my career as a journalist and I will miss him every day. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.

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