He graduated from N. Salinas High School in 1966 and joined the U.S. Navy Reserves out of Monterey CA in 1967. From 1968 to 1970 he had 2 tours of duty in Vietnam and Korea sailing aboard the USS Higbee DD806 as both a Sonarman and Supply Petty Officer for the Weapons Division. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, the Armed Forces Expedition Medal and was eligible for the Silver Star Banner.

After the Navy, Steve moved to the Quad Cities and was the parts manager for Long MFG for 3 years. In 1973 he became a car salesman for Mills Chevrolet and later Warren Chevrolet.

Steve married Debbie Blubaugh (Littlefield) in 1976 and they had 2 beautiful daughters, Danielle Reid and Dana (John) O'Conner. The family moved to Galesburg in 1978 where Steve became the General Manager for Town & Country Dodge. In 1980 he began his career as an insurance salesman. He worked for the Dredge Ins. Agency, the Miller Dredge Agency and for 30 years for Chuck Hay Ins. which later became Porter Hay Ins.

Steve was a member of the Knight of Columbus, the American Legion, the Galesburg Home Builders and the Weekenders Golf League.

He is survived by his daughters Danielle and Dana, Four grandchildren Bryce and Seth Reid, Liam and Molly O'Connor, and the Love of his Life for 17 years Kathy Johnson along with her children, Christian Templeton, Anthony Templeton, Noelle Thompson, Camille Johnson and Kamen Johnson and all her grandchildren.

Steve loved life, family and making people smile!! He will be greatly missed by all.

Cremation will be accorded following a private family service with Military Rights. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorial Contributions may be made payable to Honor Flight. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Rock Island Dispatch Argus on Jun. 12, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Steven Mendonsa

Sponsored by Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory - Galesburg.

6 Entries

John Dredge

June 13, 2020

Last saw Steve in the Fall - good to catch up. I remember his girls were about the same age as my sons and we would meet up Saturday mornings at the insurance agency - they played while we attended to business. Steve always had a positive outlook - he will be missed

Tina and Brooke Benedict

June 12, 2020

Sending our thoughts and prayers for Peace to the family. Danielle was a neighbor of ours when the boys were growing up. We always enjoyed seeing Steve visit and loved talking with him. Such a GREAT guy with a wonderful smile! Thinking of you D. HUGE hugs and Love. So very sorry

Richard Corben

June 12, 2020

First I would like say what a talent Steve was ,always ready to be the first online with any problem he could help to solve and I believe he never met a stranger , just a friend he didn't know yet. I was very pleased to call him my friend , I will miss and think of him often. I was lucky beyond words to have him touch my families lives .. I hope to share his infectious spirit again on the other side

Joann Snyder

June 12, 2020

My deepest condolences to the family.
Steve was truly a great and funny guy. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

jim mcleese ( Luke )

June 12, 2020

remember steve and kathy coming into the store and he always came up with a hand shake and hey hey amigo, nicest guy you would want to meet he will be sadly missed i will miss not seeing him at the stores, so sorry for your loss this is a sad day

Chuck Ross

June 12, 2020

Danielle, Dana and Family, over the years Steve and I worked together on various committees and knew many of the same people. He was always very friendly and willing to help whenever possible. He will be missed by many. May God comfort you in these hard times. With sincere prayers and condolences, Chuck

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