Steven H. Cantonwine

1949 ~ 2012
Master Sergeant Steven H. Cantonwine, USMC Retired, accepted orders for his final duty station issued by the Supreme Commandant on March 30, 2012. During the past six years he courageously chose to fight his cancer with whatever tools were available to him, including participating in several clinical trials at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Quitting was not in his vocabulary.
Steve was born July 25, 1949 in Murray, UT to Robert H. Cantonwine and Lillian Marie McComb. He was the oldest of nine children. He graduated with the 1st graduating class of Kearns High School. Steve married KayAnne Bryant on January 3, 1970. They shared 42 years of marriage and were blessed with two daughters.
Steve enlisted in 1967, at the age of 17. He was a member of the 1967 All Utah Platoon at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. Steve served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. It was there that he received significant exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange, and developed a deep love for the South Vietnamese people.
After his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1988, Steve began a second career that he loved with the Iron County Sheriff's Department. He also became a certified EMT, and ran with the Iron County Ambulance Service. Steve loved to talk and could make friends with anyone, anywhere. He was always telling jokes and loved making those around him laugh, even during his last days. In his free time he enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren, fishing and four wheeling on the mountain. He was a huge fan of the San Diego Chargers, the San Diego Padres, and the Utah Jazz.
Steve is survived by his wife KayAnne, daughters Lori (Troy) Bunker of Enoch, Utah, and Gina (Justin) Dansie of Draper, Utah, grandson Aaron, granddaughters Rochelle, Alexis, Chelsea, KayliAnne, and Amber, and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother Marie (Dick) Underwood, brothers Bob (Sharon), Carl (Carol), and Clint, sisters Pat (Ross) Cook, Gayla (Ed) Williams, Barb (Michael) Carroll, Shirley (Mike) Sanderson, Julie, many nieces and nephews, and his sweet canine companion, Destinee, who gave him so much comfort over the past two years.
He is preceded in death by his father Robert H. Cantonwine, father in law Kay Bryant and many U.S. Marine Corps friends.
Steve and his family would like to thank those who helped him through his battle, including all those who cared for him at Valley View Medical Center, Dr. Marshall, Dr. Stults, Dr. Te, Dr. Hyde, Dr. Gouw as well as their nurses and staff members. They would also like to thank Faelynn Kartchner at Southern Utah Hospice.
"You never gave in, you fought 'till the end. Semper Fi, Marine! OOH RAH!"
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cedar City 9th Ward located at 256 South 900 West in Cedar City, Utah. A viewing will be on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary located at 190 North 300 West in Cedar City, Utah. On Thursday, April 5, 2012 the viewing will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the Mortuary prior to going to the Church for the funeral service. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com.