Steven James Wilhelm

Wilhelm, Steven James, passed away, Sunday, April 24, 2022.

Beloved husband of Christine A. Wilhelm (nee Zammito). Dear father of Alyssa N. Wilhelm and Matthew J. (Lauren Jones) Wilhelm. Dear brother of Deborah J. (Bruce) Cummins and Susan C. Wilhelm. Brother-in-law of Nicholas B. (Laura) Zammito and Kathleen S. Lambert. Preceded in death by his parents, James H. and Carol M. Wilhelm (nee Heuckroth). Son-in-law of the late Vera Lou Zammito. Our dear uncle, cousin and friend.

Steven is the third child of Jim and Carol Wilhelm. He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri on November 13, 1954. He attended school in the Jennings School District for his K-12 education and graduated from Jennings Senior High School in 1973. While growing up, Steve was a part of the Boy Scouts of America in Jennings Troop #151. Another activity that Steve took part in during his early years was playing the trombone in Jennings Junior High School and Jennings Senior High School bands.

After graduating high school, Steve went on to study at the University of Missouri- Saint Louis, where he met his future wife, Christine. He left UMSL to join the Jennings Police Department. While working in Jennings, he completed his degree in Criminal Justice Management at Tarkio College. He served with the Jennings Police Department for approximately two and a half years. Then he moved to the Dellwood Police Department and worked there for seven years. His final service was with the Maryland Heights Police Department for twenty-five years. He retired from law enforcement in 2011, due to his cancer diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

On November 18, 1978, Steve married Christine. They enjoyed activities such as going out to the movies, attending baseball games, and going to auto racing events. Another one of their passions was traveling to places like New Orleans, Washington D.C., Florida, Memphis, and Chicago. Steve was a kind, patient, supportive and loving husband.

Steve was excited to become a dad with the adoption of his two children, Alyssa and Matthew. Steve was a wonderful and loving father. Both of his children grew up admiring Steve and looked at him as a role model. He always had the best advice. When either of his children had issues, they knew they could turn to their dad and be comforted. He was an active participant in his children’s lives. Whether it was basketball, orchestra, baseball, choir, or marching band; he was always there as a supportive father. One of the qualities that his children admire the most is his sense of humor. He had the best hardy laugh that was very contagious.

During Steve’s ongoing battle with cancer, he was a fighter. He kept fighting for twelve long years. While he was a patient, he was always loved by the hospital staff. He never complained about any of the circumstances that he had to endure.

Some of Steve’s personal interests included: Shelties, spending time with his wife, tanks, muscle cars, reading, race cars, watching a variety of sports, World War History, attending Indy car and NHRA races, video games with the kids, photography, keeping a tidy yard and home, and watching TV. He was a big supporter of the Wounded Warriors Project.

Steve will always be remembered as a heroic, wonderful, kind, loving, dependable man. He was loved by many people and made them feel at ease when he was around. He will be missed greatly and loved forever.

Services: Funeral service at Manchester United Methodist Church, 129 Woods Mill Road, Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. inurnment Manchester United Methodist Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project. Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Monday, May 2, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.