Steven James Myers

STEVEN JAMES MYERS (Feb. 22, 1975-Sept. 24, 2025)

Myers hit for the cycle as he served as a beloved husband, father, son and coach before being promoted to God's Hall of Fame.

A lifelong Wheeling resident, Myers enriched the lives of countless individuals during his five wonderful decades on this Earth. But while he loved playing sports and coaching, his greatest joy came from being a husband to Betsy and a father to Grace, Gabby and Luke.

Everything seemed fitting about the last sporting event Steve attended. He was surrounded by his wife and kids as they celebrated Luke's 21st birthday by watching their beloved Atlanta Braves in Cleveland. As the Braves completed a three-game sweep that day, one of the best catchers the Ohio Valley has ever seen was appropriately sitting right behind the plate.

It was always about the kids for Myers, who was diagnosed with leukemia a little more than a week after attending that game. He had another proud dad moment on Sept. 22, when he left a Columbus, Ohio hospital and traveled back to his home, where he was present to give his daughter away as she was married in the living room that same night.

Myers was surrounded by family members at his home, when he passed two days later. He appropriately took his last breath with the Braves playing on the television in front of him. His love for the Braves and Dale Murphy dated back to 1982, when a new cable channel WTBS was beaming Atlanta games into living rooms around the country.

A skilled athlete, Myers was a standout baseball player at Wheeling Park High School and West Liberty State College. He was also a hard-nosed high school fullback, who helped Daryl Boogie Johnson win the 1991 Kennedy Award, given to West Virginia's top prep football player. Myers' long TD run against Mount View helped Park reach the state championship game that same year.

Myers' passion for sports led him to pass on his incredible baseball IQ while serving as a coach at all levels in Wheeling. He served as an assistant coach at Park from 2006-11, spent time coaching then Ohio Valley Mudcats and then served as Park's head baseball coach from 2019-25.

There was always an incredible sense of pride for Myers when he spoke about former players advancing through their post high school years. He also tasted plenty of success, while constructing a 64 percent (110-61) winning percentage as Park's head coach. The team advanced to the state tournament in 2019 and won two OVAC titles (2021 and 2023). He was named the 2021 OVAC Coach of the Year.

Myers was most comfortable on the baseball diamond, but he also took pride in his work as a teacher and assistant golf coach at Park. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, golfing and proudly talking about his family.

Myers is survived in death by his wife Betsy Myers; his children Grace Myers (Kameron Lucky), Gabby Myers and Luke Myers; his parents Steve and Carol Myers; father-in-law Dick Hawkins; sister Melissa Myers-Penhos, sister-In-law Jen (Brian Kent) Kloss, brother-in-law Matt (Michelle) Hawkins; nephews Gregory Myers, Keefer Kloss, Khoury Kloss, Nixon Hawkins; nieces Anna (Zach) Shotten, Ella (Randy) Dlesk, Mary-Elizabeth Penhos; great niece Scarlett Shotten; beloved aunt Bina Myers; and uncle Rich Geary.

He was preceded in death by mother-in-law Karen Hawkins and brother-in-law Al Kloss.

Friends will be received on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 4 PM - 8 PM and on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 10 AM – 1 PM at Kepner Funeral Homes, 166 Kruger Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 (304-242-2311).

Services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family.

A celebration of Steven's life will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 3 PM at the JB Chambers Performing Arts Center, 1976 Park View Road, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Steve Myers Memorial Baseball Scholarship, Attn: Foundation, 2203 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003. Please make the check payable to the Ohio County Schools Foundation with the scholarship name indicated on the memo line.