Steven Craig Sundheimer

Steven "Craig" Sundheimer peacefully went home to be with the Lord in heaven on February 20, 2026, at home surrounded by his family after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Craig was born June 9, 1956, in Wabash, IN to parents John and Patricia Sundheimer.

Craig lived his life as a devoted man of God. He invited Jesus into his heart as a teenager after his sister invited him to church. He graduated from Hobbs HS and then Baylor University, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He also ran track and was an avid sprinter, setting school records.

Craig married his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Houghton, in 1978. They were married for 47 years.

He began his ministry while at Baylor, serving 2 churches in Waco, TX. His first full time position was in Los Alamos, NM, where he served as youth and music minister. Over the next several decades, he led worship and faithfully served churches in Midland, Texas then Alamogordo, Farmington, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; occasionally requiring a second job to support his family. Craig loved to travel and camp in the mountains. The Grand Canyon was one of his favorite places on Earth. He prioritized spending time with family and serving others. Music ministry was one of his greatest joys in life. He used his unique technical gifting to guide countless in worship, direct handbells, worship in foreign tongues, lead choirs, including the NM Singing Churchmen, and mentor many others to do the same. He will be most remembered for his love of playing guitar, his big smile and laugh, and his stories, often involving sports trivia. His main goal in life was always to glorify God. In turn, he hoped that others would excitedly praise God and tell others about Jesus.

Craig said that music is a universal language - a way to put scripture and life into a melody in which people can connect. Whatever the style of music, the message he wanted to portray remained the same: the good news of Jesus Christ. His family and friends are all confident he is now worshipping at the feet of Jesus - possibly waving his arms and leading others in song.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Cheryl; his son and daughter in law, Jay & Tomi Sundheimer; and his daughter and son in law, Amanda & Kenny Coppedge. He leaves behind cherished grandchildren, Judah & William Sundheimer and Silas & Ezra Coppedge. He is also survived by his siblings, Sherry & Gary Bussell, Doug & Kelly Sundheimer, Brian Sundheimer, and Terri & John Bullock.

A celebration of life will be held on March 28, 2026. A service will be held at First Baptist Church in Rio Rancho at 11:00 am, followed by a party at Olympus Event Center, 4591 Vista Fuente Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at Inlow Baptist Camp or Sivells Baptist Camp.