Stephen Van Tyle

1956 - 2026

Jul 2, 1956 - Mar 25, 2026

Stephen Van Tyle, 69 of LaCygne, KS passed away March 25, 2026 at his home in LaCygne. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2026 also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, LaCygne, KS. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes, formerly JDRF ( diabetic research) Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Stephen "Steve" Clifford Van Tyle was born July 2, 1956, in Kansas City, MO. He was the son of Clifford W. Van Tyle and Hazel C. Van Tyle. Steve spent his early childhood in Overland Park, KS, where he helped his father deliver newspapers for The Kansas City Star. Later, the family moved to a farm north of LaCygne, KS, where they raised cattle and built a life centered on hard work, resilience, and family.

He graduated from Prairie View High School in 1974. During his senior year, Steve proposed to his high school sweetheart, Pamela Heptinstall. They were married on July 7, 1974, shortly after his 18th birthday, and together they raised two children, Chris and Amanda. After 34 years of marriage, they divorced on February 4, 2008. Steve later married Cathy Sherman of Pleasanton, KS, in 2012, and though their marriage ended, they remained close friends until his passing.

Steve devoted much of his life to farming. In 1975, the family operation transitioned into dairy farming with his parents. Years later, he was known for his custom haying operation in the surrounding community. In addition to his work on the farm, Steve held several jobs over the years. In the early 1980s, he worked as a fitter at Drexel Engineering and Manufacturing and later for Dr. Hatten at Drexel Veterinary Clinic-a role he often described as his favorite. In March 1986, Steve began a long and dedicated career with Kansas City Power & Light, working in Air Quality Control until his retirement on April 1, 2016. He took great pride in his work there and deeply valued the friendships he formed, often speaking fondly of those years.

While Steve cherished the quiet rhythms of farm life, he also had a lifelong passion for motorcycles. In his younger years, he raced hare scrambles alongside his cousin, with family proudly cheering them on and their home filled with trophies from those competitions. His love of riding extended to his children, who learned to ride motorcycles before they ever rode bicycles. Later in life, he returned to racing in the 50+ Intermediate division and, in 2007, once again brought home honors. Motorcycles remained a constant source of joy throughout his life. He also enjoyed reading and completing the daily crossword puzzle from The Kansas City Star, a ritual he rarely missed.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Hazel Van Tyle. He is survived by his son, Christopher Van Tyle (Paula) of LaCygne, KS; his daughter, Amanda Van Tyle (Daniel Patterson) of Wellsville, KS; and his three grandchildren: granddaughter, Paytyn Elizabeth and grandsons, Bryson Clifford and Wyatt Christopher. He also leaves behind his beloved cats, Gizmo and Shadow, as well as his loyal friend Rick Kauffman.