Steve Sleeman

To many, Steve was an avid golfer. To those who knew him best knew his story began long before the links, rooted in the dirt of the family farm in Cooper. Alongside his brother Mike, Steve began working the land at age 11, raising beef cattle and tending fields under the watchful eyes of his Grandpa and Dad. Family movies of the boys showing off their 4-H steers at the Kalamazoo County Fair are a fond memory of those simpler days.

Steve’s legendary work ethic was forged early. After the 1965 tornado tore through the farm, he and Mike cleared fallen trees using only a two-man buck saw—a task Steve managed by patiently instructing Mike to “just pull, don’t push!” While farming wasn't his ultimate calling, the competitive spirit and athletic drive he developed there certainly were.

The Sleeman family lived by a "work hard, play hard" philosophy. Steve excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, spending countless hours shooting baskets and playing catch in all types of inclement weather. At Plainwell High, he held the scoring record for over a decade until his "little" brother Scott finally broke it 11 years later. While playing at Kellogg Community College, the Battle Creek Enquirer aptly labeled him a “dark horse” standout.

After trading his jersey for an Army Reserves uniform, Steve joined his father at Sleeman’s Service in Cooper Center, a business his father had established in 1955. Steve, Mike, and Scott all grew up working the station—pumping gas, changing tires, and learning the nuances of customer service. Steve often joked he had “changed a million tires,” though a dangerous blowout that broke his jaw served as a lifelong lesson in caution that turned him from mechanic to shop manager. Steve eventually bought the station in 1981, bringing Mike on as a partner shortly after. They ran the business together and touched countless residents in the Cooper area and beyond until Steve sold his portion of the business and retired in 2007.

Retirement provided more time for his greatest sporting passion: golf. Having moved to the Lake Doster community in 1997 to be near the club, Steve played as often as he could find a partner. He was a fixture in almost every tournament, winning several and recording three remarkable holes-in-one. Off the course, he looked forward to his weekly Bridge games and the annual guys' trip to Las Vegas.

Though a lifelong athlete, Steve’s greatest "win" came when he married Cyndee after 58 years of bachelorhood. He captured her heart by sending flowers before their first date at Fricano’s, and they wed on July 19, 2008. Whether golfing, biking, or skiing, they were a whirlwind of activity. Steve was a meticulous trip planner and a willing adventurer, though it became a family joke that being with Cyndee was "dangerous," as he occasionally ended up in the hospital with a ski or bike injury.

Their life together was filled with annual Telluride ski trips to visit the grand-kids, long bike rides, and social gatherings where their height difference was a constant source of endearment. They drove to most destinations, hauling a car full of sports equipment and an evident love for one another. At home, Steve’s commitment to excellence extended to the mundane; he was a man who did the dishes—not most of the time, but all of the time.

A 6’4” gentle giant, Steve was the bedrock of his family. He never boasted about his own stats, yet he was always in the stands to cheer on his nieces, nephews, and his beloved grandsons, who affectionately called him "Pop-Pop."

Steve loved to compete and lived his life with a simple philosophy: "You keep score for a reason”, but he scored the most through the lives that he touched. He left us too soon, with many more matches to play and places to visit. We celebrate Steve as a life well lived. He would not want us to wallow in the grief of his passing, but to live our days fully and think of him fondly.

Steve is survived by his wife, Cyndee deGraaf of Plainwell; stepson Jeff (Lynette) deGraaf, of Connecticut; grandsons William, Connor and Brady deGraaf; siblings Mike (Judie) Sleeman of Big Bay; Cheri (Steve) Schulz of Allegan; Scott (Linda) Sleeman of Otsego; and nieces and nephews Matt, Ben, Alex, Molly, Shelby and Hannah. He was preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Marian Sleeman and sister, Sydney.

A Celebration will be held Saturday, March 28, from 3-5 PM at Lake Doster Golf Club where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Celebrate Steve’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.