Michael Deane Stecker

Michael Deane Stecker
August 17, 1983 – January 4, 2025
It is with heavy hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of Michael "Mike" Deane Stecker, who left this world far too soon at the age of 41. Mike was born and raised in Howard County, Maryland, and he most recently made his home in Upperco, Maryland.
Mike was a man who brought laughter, loyalty, and an adventurous spirit to all who knew him. A natural athlete in his youth, Mike excelled at ice hockey, soccer, and baseball, setting the stage for a lifelong love of camaraderie and competition. Off the field, he was an avid fisherman, camper, and outdoorsman who felt most at peace with a fishing rod in hand or a campfire crackling nearby. Whether he was flipping burgers or slow-smoking ribs, Mike's talent for cooking and grilling was unmatched-he truly knew how to handle his meat.
Those closest to Mike will remember his sense of humor. He had a sharp wit and a comeback for everything, often leaving those around him doubled over with laughter. Mike was the kind of person who could make a game out of anything, ensuring that everyone, no matter the occasion, was having a great time. Fiercely loyal and endlessly kind, Mike was a steadfast friend, a defender of those he loved, and a bringer of joy to countless lives.
He is survived by his maternal grandparents, Patricia and Deane Cowperthwaite; his paternal grandfather, Louis Schillinger; his loving parents, Suzanne Cowperthwaite and Michael R. Stecker; his step-mother, Donna Stecker; his siblings, Patrick (Joanna) Stecker, Benjamin (Caitlyn) Stecker, and Emily (Walter) LaCroix; and his cherished nieces, Brooke and Riley. He also leaves behind lifelong friendships that were as close as family, including Stephen Belt, Robert Dove, Christopher Forney, Timothy Lloyd, Edward Luedtke, Joshua McMahon, and others who will no doubt carry forward his legacy of laughter and good times. Mike was predeceased by his paternal grandmother, Mary Regina Schillinger; and his beloved partner of 19 years, Christina Hong, whose memory he treasured and carried with him.
The family will receive friends Friday, January 10, 2025 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the Eline Funeral Home, 2901 Bloom Road, Finksburg, MD. A Celebration of life Service will begin at 2:00pm. Interment is private.
Mike would want to be remembered not with tears but with stories, laughter, and a toast to his one-of-a-kind spirit. To honor his memory, share a joke, spend a day fishing, or simply enjoy the company of those you love-he wouldn't have had it any other way.
Mike will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those fortunate enough to have known him.