Photo courtesy of MacAlpine Funeral Home, Inc. - Mac Chapel - Bad Axe
Oct 8, 1962 - Jan 18, 2026
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve was one of the most gentle, friendly and genuinely nice persons I ever met. His smile and humor were infectious. I remember the times we shared a laugh about our “experiences “ with the lodge in Hillman . Our community will miss him very much but his memory will live on
Dennis Parsons
January 20, 2026 | Port Austin, MI | Friend
Maryjo and Family, So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of u with deepest sympathy.
Kay Youatt
January 20, 2026 | Prudenville, MI | Friend
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow, Mary Jo. We are so sorry for your loss. Hugs
Shirley Poisson
January 20, 2026 | Bradenton, FL | Friend
Sorry for your loss. Steve will truly be missed.
Dave Ramey
January 20, 2026 | Kinde, MI | Friend
Chicken man You will be missed R.I.P
DENNIS RIVETT
January 20, 2026 | DULUTH, GA | Friend
Remembered By
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for you all Anderson
January 19, 2026 | Gladwin, MI | Classmate
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I remember he was a smiler and treated everyone he met like friends.
Glenna Haindl
January 19, 2026 | NEWBERRY, MI | Family
Dear Kevin, I am sending you & all who loved your dad my sincere condolences. I hope your wonderful memories of him will bring you peace and comfort. Donna Pas
Donna Pas
January 19, 2026 | Rochester Hills, MI | Friend
So sorry to hear of Steve's passing. We shared many great memories back in the day. God's speed my friend and blessings to his family.
Rick Sampson
January 19, 2026 | Saint Helen, MI | Friend
Steven Thomas Risch, 63 years old of Port Austin, passed away at home on January 18, 2026, after a battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Steve was born on October 8, 1962 to the late Thomas and Sharron (Lazenby) Risch.
Steve and Mary Jo (Shearer) shared 43 years of marriage, building a life centered on family, love and plenty of good food.
Steve loved the outdoors and could often be found hunting, golfing, grilling, or smoking meat, usually with a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon close by. Whether he was on the golf course or behind the grill, he enjoyed bringing people together. He served as a board member at the golf course for 30 years and was a proud member of the conservation club, always happy to be involved in the things he loved most.
Steve had a laid-back personality and a dry sense of humor. His favorite phrase, “What’s wrong with that?”, summed him up perfectly- easygoing, practical and always comfortable doing things his way.
He worked at Thumb Tool and Engineering for 35 years, where he was known as hardworking and someone you could always count on.
Steve was a proud dad to Ashley (Nathan) Horetski, Kevin (Nicole) Risch, Alex (Nick) Turmell; and an even prouder grandpa to Landen, Preston, Karleigh, Lexi, Connor, Carter, and Graham, who brought him endless joy.
He is survived by his sister Lisa (Al) Govitz, his brother Jim (Carrie) Risch; his in-laws Bill and Ruthann Shearer; sisters and brothers-in-law Melody (Bruce) Hill, Mike (Julie) Shearer, Maxine (Matt) Schneider, Mindy (Jim) Collier, Marty (Katrina) Shearer and many nieces and nephews.
Steve will be remembered for his easygoing nature, love of family, appreciation for the simple things in life, and the way he brought people together. His presence, humor and steady way of being will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In keeping with Steve and his family's wishes, cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City, Michigan.
A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel in Kinde, at 11:00 am.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel from 2-7 pm., and also from 10:00 on Thursday until the time of service.
Memorials may be offered to the family discretionary fund C/O of Mary Jo.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com
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