Steven Newburry

When reflecting on the life of Steven Newburry, it is easy to see that he was one of the most kind and generous people around. With a vibrant faith as his constant companion, his life exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord he loved. Steve’s love for his daughter was easy to see, but he just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandfather later in life. Although he accomplished so many things to be proud of, he was a humble man whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in blessing others. Dearly loved, he will be forever missed.

The 1960s were an eventful time in America. This was the decade when we elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President of the United States, and by the end of the decade we had put the first man on the moon. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great joy in the lives of William Wayne and Marilyn Ann (Szczepanski) Newburry as they were thrilled to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Steven on November 23, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of five as he was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Curtis, Brenda, Sandra “Sandy,” and William “Bill.” When he was three or four years old, his family moved to Sterling Heights.

In many ways Steven was a young boy of the times. His father worked for Chrysler Motor Company while his mother was a typical mother of the 60s who stayed home to care for her family and household. As a family they enjoyed trips to Mackinac Island and to visit the Kellogg’s factory in Battle Creek, and they also regularly went camping with Ludington being one of their favorite places. Steven loved canned potatoes fried up and served with scrambled eggs for breakfast, and this was the breakfast he made throughout his life. He attended local schools and graduated from Lawton High School. Shortly thereafter, he moved away from home. Tragedy struck during this time as well with the death of his mother.

Throughout his life Steven was known for his strong work ethic in everything he did. His first job was working as a cook at the A&W Root Beer stand in Paw Paw earning, $1.75 an hour while the car hops only made $.75 cents per hour. Steven joined the Army in 1984 and was a member of the Army Reserves for six months. He earned awards as a rifle marksman and a grenade expert before being honorably and medically discharged. Many of his working days were spent as an over-the-road truck driver, although Steven started off making local deliveries. In 1992, he began working as a safety manager at Banks Hardwoods in Elkhart, Indiana. During his time there Steven learned a variety of production positions as well as working as a fork lift driver and in shipping & receiving. In 2008, he became the director of safety. In addition, he worked at the racetrack in Bristol for a time.

In 1989 life truly began for Steven as it was when he became a father by adopting Rebecca. He walked into Rebecca's life when he stopped by her mother, Roxy’s, house to congratulate her on her new baby with a stroller and a rose in hand, having been set up with Roxy by a mutual friend. Rebecca always saw her Dad as the best thing to happen to her as he made sure she was cared for and well loved throughout her entire life. When he and Roxy separated, Rebecca stayed with him, and they became a great team. Rebecca even learned to cook and clean, and Sunday was the day they did laundry together. Steven may have been just a bit overprotective as she wasn't allowed to do things like jump on trampolines or tube on the lake, however, she did them anyway and managed to survive! He was also a bit of a softie when it came to handing out the punishments. Steven was involved in everything she did and was there to cheer her on. He didn't date while she was at home as he wanted to be fully devoted to his duties as a father. They enjoyed family vacations at Copper Harbor when Rebecca was six or seven. As she got older they frequently talked about things and could even debate issues without hurting their relationship. They spent 18 years living in Marcellus, but Steven moved to Elkhart once Rebecca graduated.

It was tough on Steven when Rebecca graduated but he found his home at Crossroads Community Church. He was comfortable there and enjoyed taking on responsibilities within the church. With a heart to serve God, Steven had the most amazing experiences on mission trips to Ecuador. He never went as a tourist as he went there to work while serving God and others. Steven fully embraced God as a bigger part of his life within the last two years, and he knew he could see God best while working in Ecuador. Although he didn’t have much downtime, Steven enjoyed golfing, painting ceramics, drawing, and architecture. Back in his younger days he had always wanted to be an architect. He wasn’t one for rock music, but he preferred listening to artists like Norah Jones and Celine Dion.

As grandfather, Steve was second to none. He had a very soft spot for his oldest granddaughter, Norahlee, because she is her mother’s mini-me. Steven was there for Henrietta’s birth, waiting all day for her to be born. Although he didn’t know anything about boys, he was beginning to build a close relationship with his grandson, Orlin. All of Steven’s grandchildren meant the world to him.

All who knew Steven Newburry would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He was funny with a dry sense of humor, and he even had a goofy side that could emerge at any time. Steven finished the race well, doing what God called him to do and raising his daughter to become a woman who was beautiful on the inside and out. Life will never be the same without him here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

Steven Newburry,, of Elkhart, IN, passed away June 25, 2018. Steve’s family includes his daughter Rebecca (Toby); grandson Orlin; granddaughters Norahlee and Henrietta; siblings Curtis Newburry, Brenda Covell, Sandra Gillen, and William Newburry; and three nieces. Steven was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be held on Saturday, July 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40; Paw Paw (269) 657-3870. Steven will be privately buried at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Steven’s personal memory page at www.BetzlerFuneralHome.comwhere you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads W&W Steve to help others who desire to spread God's Word on the mission field but need financial assistance in doing so.