Stephen Plumbley

Stephen Beaumont Plumbley, 47, of Lansing, died on September 11, 2025. A life well lived that ended all too soon.

Born on November 29, 1977, in San Diego, California. Stephen was the son of Richard Ware Plumbley Jr. and Delinda Joy (Bowlin) Plumbley, who preceded him in death. He graduated from El Cajon Valley High School.

From a young age, Stephen loved playing soccer and watching his favorite team, Liverpool. His family shared a love of baseball, attending spring training games of their Padres and spending weekends camping in the desert. His Dad shared the love of soccer and refereed most of his soccer games, handed down his artistic talent, and they often spent time fishing on the water, catching bass in the reservoirs, or beach casting for halibut and shark. Stephen was the best "big" little brother to Diana, who looked up to him and shared a close relationship full of humor and lots of hugs. Stephen was also a devoted son to a mother who loved spending time with him, especially on mother/son McDonald outings at least once a week, and ultimately serving as a caretaker for his mother for many years after she suffered a brain aneurysm, lovingly alongside his Father and sister, Diana.

After her death, he, his father, and sister moved to Illinois, ultimately settling down in Michigan. He fortuitously began working for the Morning Sun Newspaper, where, through a work party, on January 18, 2000, he met the love of his life, Darla Taylor, who was working at the St. Johns Reminder. They became engaged within three months and married just three months later on July 22, 2000. From that moment on, they were inseparable partners who created an amazing adventure together.

Stephen was a self-taught artist and graphic designer who, like his father before, created his own company. Stephen and Darla were the proud owners of Tandem Studios. His creativity always shone through in his work and his spare time. He was an amazing artist, usually preferring to express himself in paintings, which he loved to create and gift to friends and family. He also enjoyed woodworking and taking on new and unexpected projects, like a beautifully hand-stitched purse made for his wife. He was the best gift-giver, known for noticing every detail of what someone loved. "An expert at everything", he could fix cars, remodel a home, or smoke the perfect cut of meat-and if he wasn't already skilled at something, he worked until he was. Cooking was one of his love languages; whether it was grilling steaks, making cheesecake, or experimenting with new flavors, he delighted in feeding the people he loved.

He lived a full life filled with adventure, travel, and friendships-both near and far. Stephen made friends everywhere, including many online friends and coworkers who became like family, most especially his friend and mentor Dave.

Stephen's greatest pride was the family that he and Darla created. Stephen was the most devoted, loving, and giving partner and friend to Darla. He was a support, advocate, and encourager for his kids, and someone who never hesitated to say how proud he was of Eric, Beau, and Rosco and the people they were becoming. Stephen hugged his children daily and always expressed how much he loved them. He passed on his love of the outdoors as an involved Boy Scout dad to Eric, his artistic and culinary talent to Beau, his curiosity and quick wit to Rosco, and his big heart and humor to all of them. He was grateful to know and love Hannah and Ollie, partners to his children that he saw as cherished members of the family.

He and Darla also opened their home as foster parents, giving children a safe and loving place to land. Still loving and caring for their foster daughter Katie from afar, he was a proud Papa to her children, Kalina, Arielle, TJ & Zeke.

Stephen loved his pets. His family had many cats throughout his life, and he had other pets, but he was preceded in death by his most beloved pet, the Chili dog, the family chihuahua. And he loved and doted on "his" Cash and Cali, the current family doggos.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved to share his passion with everyone and anyone. But he especially enjoyed time spent hunting with his mother-in-law, Ardith, and Gramma Bea. He often shared his love of music-especially his favorite band, Tool. He shared his quirky passion for science fiction and fantasy with Darla, with both Star Wars and Star Trek among his favorites. And he was a voracious reader with books on every surface being read, or waiting to be read for the first time, or again for the second or third time.

Stephen will be remembered for his honesty, adventurous spirit, generosity, and his way of making everyone feel loved and special. He lived his life with passion. He was kind, considerate, and genuinely concerned about the welfare of others. He was an ally and advocate of the LGBTQ community. He also had an infectious sense of humor. He was true to himself and never afraid to speak his mind. He could be vulnerable and openly mushy, but he was often the rock and the strength people needed. He helped others better their lives, and he always reminded people of what they meant to him.

The footnote to his life is that, sadly, in the end, after many years of living with both amazing joy and deep depression, along with chronic pain, he faltered in his resolve to hold to the good, and he left his pain behind.

He is survived by his beloved wife of twenty-five years, Darla; his children, Eric (Hannah), Beau (Ollie), and Rosco; his sister Diana Plumbley; his step-mother, Linda Plumbley; his mother-in-law, Ardith Taylor, and many extended family members, including Debbie and her family. He will be missed by Katie, and her children, Kalina, Arielle, TJ (Donald) & Zeke.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 5-8 PM, at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the wishes of the family.

For further information, phone McGeehan Funeral Home at 989-224-4422