Stephen Reed

Funeral celebration of life services for Stephen Reed, age 61, of Lenox, who passed away Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston, will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Lenox Community Center. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Lenox Community Center with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be held in West Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials may be given in his name. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we "Celebrate Life."

On Oct. 21 at the Hospice House in Creston, surrounded by his loving family, Stephen Lee Reed lost his battle with complications from cancer treatments, but won the war against pain and suffering as he passed through heaven’s gate into God’s hands.

Stephen Lee Reed was born Aug. 17, 1956, in Corning, to proud parents, Marvin Lee and Norma Jean (Williams) Reed. Steve grew up in Lenox, where during his childhood he participated in 4-H, had a paper route and played little league baseball. During high school, Steve played basketball, baseball, football and ran in track. He was a member of the Christian Church in Lenox. He graduated from Lenox High School in 1974.

It was also in March of 1974 that Steve met the love of his life, Jacqi Lynn (Freshour), while roller skating at Hale’s Skating Rink. They began dating at that time and have been inseparable since. They married on Sept. 27, 1975, at the Christian Church in Prescott.

Steve and Jacqi were blessed with two children, Troy Stephen and Crystal Lynnette. Steve loved his kids unconditionally and loved to talk of their accomplishments in life and to spend time with them when able.

Steve’s pride and joy came in 2007 and 2009, grandsons, Trenton Dean and Blayne Michael Shawler. Steve’s love for his grandsons knew no boundaries. He enjoyed taking them hunting, fishing, on vacations, watching them grow and participate in sports and other activities or just sitting and rocking with them while watching a movie or reading a book. He always had a story to tell or brag about when it came to these boys. If they wanted or needed something, all the boys had to do was ask Poppa.

Steve worked at various places during his life, Cain Oil, Howard Stoak’s farm, Prescott Feed and Grain, Uarco/Standard Register and Michael Foods where he had been employed since 2000.

Steve was on the Prescott Fire Department from 1975-91 and also was a first responder.

During his life, Steve enjoyed hunting pheasant and coyote, golfing, fishing and his favorite – bowling. Steve played on basketball, baseball and volleyball leagues in early adulthood, and the past 15-plus years, Steve bowled on a mixed league and a travel league with his wife and his “bowling kids.” The teams traveled to Springfield, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and all over the state of Iowa with Steve the anchorman no matter which team he bowled with. Steve also enjoyed his Friday night gang, spending many years of Friday nights getting together with friends for drinks, supper and fun.

Left to cherish the wonderful memories of Stephen Lee Reed are his wife of 42 years, Jacqi Lynn (Freshour) Reed; son Troy Stephen and wife Christine (Roan) Reed; daughter Crystal Lynnette (Reed) Shawler and grandsons, Trenton Dean and Blayne Michael Shawler; stepgrandson Patrick and wife Amanda Harden with their children, Ella and Eli; parents, Marvin Lee and Norma Jean (Williams) Reed; mother-in-law Nancy Jane (Bissell) Freshour; brother Jeffrey and wife Carla (Miller) Reed; sister Susan (Reed) and husband Daniel Miller; brothers-in-law, Kyle and wife Kelly (Cameron) Freshour and Kevin and wife Beverly (Rice) Freshour; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; adopted bowling kids, Bud and Becky Haidsaik, Sam and Luke Ramsey and BJ Brokaw; the Friday night gang; his bowling family and many other relatives, friends and co-workers.

Stephen was preceded in death by his grandparents, Melvin and Bertha (Milliken) Williams and John and Irene (Lane) Reed; aunt Dorothy Stoaks; cousin Kevin Williams and father-in-law Clifford Freshour.

The memory of a well-spent life never dies.

We cannot keep you forever, but the memories,

we can hold close in our hearts.

May you be at peace in God’s loving care.