Steven Weiss

Taken from his loved ones much too soon, Steven Weiss was dearly loved by many. Bigger was always better as far as he was concerned which made Sam's Club one of his favorite places to shop. It was easy to see the deep love that Steven had for his children as he would go to any lengths to make sure that they had everything they could ever need or want. By the way he lived his life, he taught those around him the importance of doing things right the first time. Steven will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his many friends and loved ones.

The decade of the 1960s was a colorful one when The Beatles were a worldwide sensation, Goldfinger entertained moviegoers, and the superball and skateboard were all the rage. Civil rights were gaining momentum led my Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while the Gateway Arch was completed in St. Louis. It was during this exciting time that a young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was thrilled to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on July 30, 1965. Steven was the oldest of three children born to his parents, Kenneth and Mona Weiss, and he was raised in the family home alongside his younger sister, Kate, and his younger brother, Jim. His father worked as a pipe-fitter while his mother focused her attention at home.

For the most part Steven experienced a typical childhood. He was an active child who was all boy. Steven loved things like snowmobiling and hunting. He was a student at local schools and wrestled during both junior high and high school. Steven went on to graduate from high school in 1983.

Not to be forgotten during Steven’s years in high school was his introduction to the young woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Heather Cessna, and they met when Steven was a senior and she was a junior. Sparks flew right from the moment they met. After dating for a time, the couple was married in Otsego in 1987. Together they were blessed with two children, Ciera and Tristan.

In order to support his family, Steven worked as a pipe-fitter with the local 357, following in his father’s footsteps. He loved his job and was very good at it, however, his work did require him to work long hours. Steven was proud to be a supporting and devoted member of the union. He also worked as a project manager for W Soule Mechanical Contractors.

Although he was away from home a lot, the family did enjoy getting away for their annual trek to Kiawah Island in South Carolina, where they stayed at a condo right on the ocean. They loved all the ocean fun and the plentiful sunshine as well as spending time with the family. The Weiss family also enjoyed going on camping trips in their 5th wheel. Although Steven’s marriage ended in divorce after 21 years, he was always so grateful for his children.

There was nothing that made Steven more proud than being a father. For years he had Ciera’s first pair of Nike tennis shoes hanging from the rearview mirror of his truck. Steven loved his kids more than anything else in this world, and he only wanted what was best for his children. Providing his children with a nice life was the driving force behind all of Steven’s hard work. His goal was to provide for them not only in the present, but in the future. Steven’s extended family was also very important to him, and he was so very proud of his new niece, Brooklyn.

In his free time, Steven enjoyed pursuing his interests. He liked to grill and cook, often gaining ideas from cooking shows on television, and he also shared his love for cooking with his kids. Pets were an important part of Steven’s life, and through the years he had three beloved dogs, Grace, Savanna, and Alli, that were like additional members of the family. Steven always had a stash of candy somewhere in the house, and Pop-Tarts were staples in his house. When it came to music, he liked classic rock from the 1970s. As his friends and family can attest, Steven went big on anything and everything whether it was the things he bought, like his extensive tool collection, or the things he made. His truck had to have an eight foot bed, and everything was top of the line, too, as it was all about both quality in addition to quantity.

With unending devotion to his children, Steven Weiss was a blessing in the lives of his loved ones. He wholeheartedly applied himself to everything he did and was more than willing to work hard to achieve the things he wanted to accomplish. Steven lived life to the fullest each day, making memories with his family and friends along the way. Life will never be the same without him here, but his loving spirit will be forever near and dear to the hearts of his loved ones.

Steven Weiss, of Kalamazoo, died on Thursday, November 7, 2013. Steven’s family includes his children: Ciera and Tristan Weiss; sister, Kate (Glen) Schweikert; brother, Jim Weiss; former wife, Heather Jonas; and other relatives and friends. Learn more about Steven, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900) where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Please visit Steven’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Heather Jonas to establish a college fund for the children.