|
Visitation:
Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road,
Granger, IN.
Service:
Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the
chuch.
Funeral home:
Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home
Obituary
Stephen “Steve” A.
Power, age 89, of Granger, Indiana, died peacefully
on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Steve was born on December 20, 1936, in Lincoln,
Illinois, the eldest child of Edna (Sparks) and
Stephen A. Power. Steve had one sister, Edna
Elizabeth “Beth” Morris, who preceded him in death.
In his early years, Steve was an altar server for
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and delivered
newspapers as a Lincoln Courier carrier boy. From an
early age, he developed a lifelong passion for
sports.
Steve graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954. He
was an honors student, National Honor Society member
and had the highest scholastic standing among all
senior boys. He served as senior class president and
was a three-time captain of the varsity basketball
team. He also played baseball and ran cross-country.
He loved golf and spent countless hours playing and
competing in tournaments. However, Steve’s greatest
achievement in high school was meeting the love of
his life, Patricia “Pat” Debelak, Lincoln High Class
of 1957.
After high school, Steve attended the University of
Notre Dame on an Evans Scholarship. In his free
time, he could be found in the gym playing
basketball or on the golf course. His fondest
memories from Notre Dame, besides going to dances
with Pat, were winning the interhall basketball
championship for Pangborn Hall and during his senior
year, winning the Interhall All-Campus
Championship-a tournament where 84 teams in 16
leagues competed.
In 1958, Steve graduated with a degree in
mathematics and education. In 1963, he earned a
Master of Science degree from Illinois State
University and later completed an additional 60
hours of graduate study.
Steve and Pat were married in 1958 and began what
would become a 66-year adventure filled with love,
laughter, faith and seven children. The newlyweds
moved to Peoria, Illinois where Steve taught
mathematics and coached at Richwoods Community High
School until 1964. Their first four children were
born there.
In 1965, the family moved to Deerfield, Illinois
where their last three children were born and Steve
continued his career teaching and coaching at
Evanston High School. Steve’s proudest coaching
moment was in 1968, when the Evanston High School
boys’ basketball team won the state basketball
championship. The historic team was inducted into
the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of
Fame in 1974.
In 1971, Steve became the varsity basketball coach
at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview,
Illinois. A dedicated educator, Steve taught
mathematics, SAT preparation classes and summer
school, while also spending countless hours tutoring
until retirement in 1996.
A passionate alum of Notre Dame, Steve and Pat moved
to Granger, Indiana in 1997 to be close to campus.
He enjoyed football and basketball games and
visiting the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on
campus. In retirement, he was an avid golfer and
became a member of the Knollwood Country Club. Steve
was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Saint Pius
X Catholic Church where he counted the collection,
served at funeral luncheons and delivered meals to
the Center for the Homeless. Retirement allowed
Steve and Pat to visit family and friends, traveling
all over the US and abroad. Special trips included
the Bahamas (25th anniversary), Hawaii (50th
anniversary), Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia,
among others.
Steve and Pat built a
life centered on family. He wanted to leave a legacy
for his children and grandchildren. He researched
and documented the family’s genealogy and converted
home movies into more than 120 DVDs. He made sets
for each of his children preserving memories for
future generations. He also wrote a handwritten
letter entitled “10 Points of Advice,” sharing
wisdom he hoped would guide his children and
grandchildren throughout their lives. His advice
encouraged them to be happy, healthy and holy and
reflected the values by which he lived.
|
Steve’s family will remember
him for his quick wit, competitive spirit, devotion to Notre
Dame, love of sport, commitment to education, deep faith and
above all, his unwavering love for Pat and his family. The
lessons he taught, the memories he preserved, and the values
he lived will continue through his children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
Last, Steve wanted to express his heartfelt gratitude to his
hematology-oncology physician, Dr. Arafat Ansari, whom he
credited with saving his life and giving him additional
years to spend with his beloved wife and family.
Steve is survived by his seven children: Teri Riess (Marty)
of Bloomington, IN; Steve Power Jr. (Linda) of St. Charles,
IL; Julie Pisani (Jim) of St. Charles, IL; Greg Power (Beth)
of Lexington, KY; Trisha Vankoski (Steve) of Ft. Wayne, IN;
Suzanne Letherman (Pete) of Granger, IN and Chris Power
(Kristin) of Geneva, IL.
He is also survived by his 20 grandchildren: Austin Power
(Caitlyn), Katelyn Power, Melissa Reinke (Patrick), Paige
Strocchia (Pat), Amanda Welage (Ryan), Anne Pisani, Hans
Riess (Becca), Megan Henderson (Jake), Mike Vankoski, Faith
Power (Oliver), Ryan Power (Lauren), Christina Riess, Jacob
Power, Kiley Power, Andrew Letherman, Cecilia Letherman,
Hailey Power, Patrick Letherman, Sean Power and Reese Power;
seven great-grandchildren: Ella Power, Hazel Power, Sophie
Reinke, Isabella Strocchia, Graham Welage, Will Reinke and
William Henderson, as well as nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, parents, sister
and granddaughter, Grace Letherman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am
(EST) on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at St. Pius X Catholic
Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN. Visitation will be held
one hour prior to mass at the church.
Steve will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in
Lincoln, IL at 11:00 am (CST) on Wednesday, September 2,
2026.
Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the
family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in
Steve’s memory to the Sweet Pea Foundation at
www.sweetpeafoundation.org.
To leave the family an online condolence, please visit the
funeral home website. |
