Stephen Edward Walter , 84, a long-time resident of Larwill, passed away peacefully in the company of his wife at 11:30 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2025, at Peabody Retirement Community, where he had been a resident for the past six years.

Born on April 4, 1941, in Churubusco, Indiana, he was a son of the late Willard and Gertrude (Mayland) Walter.  Growing up in Churubusco and then Fort Wayne, he began High School at South Side and completed High School at Columbia City Joint High School in 1960.

On November 27, 1963, he was inducted into the U.S. Army.  Serving in Vietnam with the 864th Engineer Battalion.  He was honorably discharged on November 26, 1965.

On June 4, 1966, he married Diana "Kay" Hartman.  They made their home in rural Larwill, raising two daughters.

Steve began his work career with the Miller Cabinet Company of Tri-Lakes.  He then became a tool and die maker for General Electric, Fort Wayne.  He completed his work career at Eaton Controls in North Manchester.

A devout Christian and devoted family man, Steve was a quiet and reserved person by most accounts, until you knew him well.  He worshipped regularly at the Troy Presbyterian Church and, more recently, at the First Church of God.  Steve's greatest wish is for the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ to flourish.

In his free time, Steve was a cabinetmaker, using his skills on church mission trips to Brazil, Ecuador, Haiti, and the Philippines.  Mechanically inclined, he could fix anything around the house.  He liked riding his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, and in his younger years, he drove a red 1967 Pontiac GTO.

At a surprise 40th wedding anniversary, Steve and Kay received an overwhelming response from the community, affirming the depth of their friendships, cultivated and nurtured over their life together.  On their 50th anniversary, the couple enjoyed an Alaskan Cruise that was on Steve's bucket list.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Kay; daughters, Stephanie (Jacob) Yahne of North Webster and Kathryn (Garrett) Varner of Franklin, TN; a granddaughter, Lindsay (Ryan) Rapsavage of Warsaw; great-grandchildren, Raiden and Layla.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, his precious little angel, Lainey Kay Rapsavage, and brothers, Duvalle and Stanley Walter.

Visitation is Sunday (Dec 7th) from 2 to 6 p.m. at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  The funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.  A private burial will take place at the Troy Presbyterian Cemetery.

Memorials in Steve's honor are to the First Church of God, Columbia City.