Steven Douglas Hughes

1947 - 2024

Steven Douglas Hughes, 77, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Greencroft Healthcare in Goshen, Indiana, after a four-month battle with cancer. He was born in Goshen on May 10, 1947, to Robert Charles Sr. and Alice Jeanette (Barringer) Hughes.

Steve lived in Goshen and attended Goshen High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in July 1965. When he was stationed in Little Rock Air Base, he graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1965. Steve was honorably discharged from the Air Force in July 1969.

Steve married Ivy Ann Childers of North Little Rock, Arkansas, on Sept. 10, 1968, after eloping on her birthday. They were married in New Paris, Indiana, at the home of Herb and Alice Stanfield.

Steve is survived by his wife, Ann, and children: Steven Michael (Tammy) Hughes and Jeff (Barbara) Hughes, both of Goshen, Indiana. Steve is also survived by his brother, Robert (Peg) Hughes Jr., of Pensacola, Florida; half-sister, Cheryl Hughes of Culver, Indiana; uncle, Lamar Hughes, of Temecula, California; grandchildren, Brooke Hughes, Molly Hughes, Danielle (John) Johnson, Andrew Brice Hughes; great-granddaughter, Scarlett Joann Christine Leazer; and step-sister, Becki (Rich) Bushong, of Howey in the Hills, Florida. Steve also leaves behind his sisters-in-law, Paula Lively, Cindy (Terry) Cupit of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Shelly (Dave) McCann of O'Fallon, Illinois; and brother-in-law, Phillip (Debbie) Childers, of Collinsville, Illinois, of whom he cherished.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Robert Charles Hughes Sr.; mother, Alice Jeanette Stanfield; and nephew, Michael Kierre, of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Steve worked at Western Rubber in Goshen for 25 years, and shortly after that, became a truck driver making local and long-distance deliveries. About 10 years ago, he purchased his own haul-and-tow semi and leased with Foremost Transport of Goshen to deliver travel trailers. Throughout the course of his driving career, Steve logged over one million miles across the 48 states and Canadian provinces.

Steve had a love of cars and attended as many car shows across the country as possible. He belonged to the SCAA, Northeast Chapter of the GTOAA and Cheers to Wheels. For 10 years, he did the "Hot Rod Power Tour" and "Cruisin' the Coast" in Mississippi. His favorite sports teams were the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Indiana University basketball. Steve played golf and got two "hole-in-ones." He also loved music from the 1950s to 1980s, along with blues.

Steve and Ann traveled around the country either by motorcycle or car, attending car shows across the United States. They visited 29 of the national parks in the contiguous U.S. as well as many state parks.

Steve was an active member of Goshen Christian Church for 44 years and a member of the Elkhart Luncheon Optimist Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Elkhart Luncheon Optimist Club for local youth programs, or to a local veteran-owned business, OP1VET, whose mission is "Changing 1 Veteran's Life at a Time."

Special thanks to Goshen Home Care and Hospice team, including Brenda Yoder, Claire, Penny, Lois and Lori. Also, a grateful thank-you to Dr. Edward Boyts and nurse practitioner Rebecca Stitcher.

Steve's wishes are to be cremated by Elkhart Cremation Services, and his ashes to be interred at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.

A memorial service, with full military honors rendered, will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at Goshen Christian Church, 2133 Berkey Ave., Goshen, Indiana. Richard Brouilette and Nate Walter will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 1 to 4 p.m. at the church prior to the service.