Stephen Lewis

Stephen Ewing Lewis passed from this life on Dec. 26, 2017. He was 66 years old.

Steve was born on May 18, 1951, in Toledo, Ohio, to Ewing and Verba (Durrell) Lewis. He was raised with his brother Jeffrey in Oberlin, Ohio, by their mother, a longtime employee of Oberlin College. Mr. Lewis was a graduate of Oberlin High School, attended Ohio State University, and was a graduate of the Ohio Peace Officers' Training Academy in Columbus, Ohio.

After attending Ohio State, he married his high school classmate and friend, Linda Dunlap. They were married for 17 years and together proudly raised their four children: Stanton, Stephen, Erin, and Hilary.

Steve spent the majority of his career with the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, first as a communications officer, then as a detective (1990-1992) and deputy sheriff. He served a total of 26 years.

As a young person, Steve was baptized by the Rev. Dr. Fred L. Steen Sr. of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin, Ohio, where he maintained a lifelong membership. In recent years, he served as a member of the King's Men and Mount Zion Baptist Church choirs. In addition to possessing a beautiful singing voice, he was gifted with a brilliant smile, contagious laugh, comedic timing, and imagination. Another of his attributes was his ability as a sketch artist, a talent he shared with his children. Known for his methodical thought process, he was a formidable adversary at games of strategy like chess, backgammon, and cards. He enjoyed listening to music, dancing, watching football, playing racquetball, cooking on the grill, and playing board games like Monopoly and Scrabble with his family.

Mr. Lewis is survived by his sons, Stanton Chambers (Rebecca) of Arlington, Texas, and Stephen II (Andrea) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughters Erin (Gene) of Oakland, Calif., and Hilary of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and granddaughters Ella Janice, Hanna Rae, Maya Christine, and Sara Ann. He is also survived by his brother, Jeffrey (Liana) of Cleveland; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held at Mount Zion Baptist Church on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Fred L. Bell officiating. A repast will follow at the House of Zion Fellowship Center for family and out-of-town guests. Online condolences may be left at www.cowlingfuneralhomeoh.com. A private burial will take place at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Oberlin Community Services Food Programs in memory of Stephen E. Lewis.