Steven Paul Tackwell

Kind as can be, one would be hard pressed to have found a more thoughtful and big hearted man than Steven Tackwell. Generous with his time, talents, and everything in-between, Steve added much to the lives around him. He was a hardworking man who provided well for his family, and together they made lasting memories to be forever cherished.

By 1947, the end of World War II found the baby boom well on its way as families faced a housing shortage as newly developed suburban neighborhoods were being built. The post-war economy boomed as the need for consumer goods rose, and manufacturing jobs were plentiful. The city of Ft. Wayne, Indiana was no exception, and for Charles E. and Mary Rose (Chalk) Tackwell who made Ft. Wayne their home, it was a wonderful time to raise a family. On May 15, 1947, they lovingly welcomed the birth of their firstborn son, Steven Paul Tackwell at Lutheran Hospital off Fairfield Ave.

The third of seven children, Steve joined his older sisters, Judith and Janet, and he was the big brother of Cynthia, Thomas, Sharon, and Gregory. He grew up east of Ft. Wayne until the second grade when his family moved south of Ft. Wayne, remaining there until he was in middle school. As a youngster, Steve shared numerous adventures with neighborhood friends and attended the local schools. He loved teasing his sisters, but after surviving a ruptured appendix and having had Brights Disease, a kidney disorder, his siblings werent as rambunctious with him.

Despite these medical setbacks in his early years, Steve led a childhood typical of his generation. While attending South Side High School, he played basketball. He also attempted playing the drums before realizing it wasnt a talent he possessed! With the Vietnam War well underway, after graduating from South Side High School in 1967, Steve was drafted in the U.S. Army. He served from his birthday on May 15, 1968, until his honorable discharge on February 22, 1970, and for Steven, it was never so good to be home.

It was during this time in Stevens life when he began thinking about his future. More than ready to settle down, he asked a good friend to help find him a good woman. His friend introduced Steve to Shirlee M. Christman and before long they fell deeply in love. After dating for a time, Steve and Shirlee were happily married on January 16, 1971, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Hicksville, Ohio.

The newlyweds began their new life together renting a place off Rudisill Blvd. before buying their first home together off Oneida Street in Ft. Wayne. They soon shared their love with the births of two sons, Jason and Jeff. Steve was a loving and attentive father. He coached his sons baseball teams and took them ice fishing. Time spent with family meant a great deal to Steve. He and his boys loved going to Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Kings Dominion amusement parks where they made numerous memories along the way. They also shared great times riding their three-wheelers.

The family cottage on Wolf Lake provided extra special times for Steve and his family. Being out on the open waters enjoying his love for waterskiing and boating was a thrill for Steve. At one time, he even had his own sailboat. While out on the lake, a storm came in, and after tipping his boat, the mast broke and was lost for good in the lake bottom. He also enjoyed racing go-carts, and together with his brother-in-law, they traveled around locally to race.

While living in Ft. Wayne, Steve worked for General Electric and a few other places before getting a job in the early 1970s at Carsten, McDougal Wingett Heating and Air Conditioning. While working there for the next ten years, Steve moved his family north of Columbia City to the Round Lake area. Steves father would assist him in getting a job at his place of employment, Precision Litho Graphics which was a great fit for Steve. He remained with the company until 1995 when it was bought out. For a brief time, Steve and Shirlee returned to Ft. Wayne while they built their family home off of Airport Road in Columbia City. Upon completion, they moved into their new house on April 1, 1990, which remains their forever home to this day.

Steve was a dedicated and loyal, hard worker. For the next several years he worked for the Columbia City Consolidated Schools as a custodian at Columbia City High School. After retiring, hed often help Shirlee out at Indiana Springs Middle School. With quiet faith, Steve was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne and as a proud Veteran of the U.S. Army, he also belonged to the American Legion. After Steve and Shirlee both retired, they bought a condo in Bonito Springs, Florida. They enjoyed the past four winters there meeting many new friends.

Working on cars and helping others were certainly Steves passions. He liked tinkering around with cars, and he was good at, too. Steve also loved working with his hands. He helped his son, Jeff build his house, he helped with the remodel of his granddaughters home, and he was always willing to lend a hand when it came to this area of skill for family, friends, and neighbors alike. Steve had such a big heart and always kept others in mind. This was especially true when after hearing someone talk about something they needed or wanted or liked, he would quietly get it for them, never expecting anything in return.

Steve especially loved spoiling Shirlee. Nearly inseparable, they were always together and he absolutely loved making her happy. The love of his life, Steve did whatever he could for her. When grandchildren came along, they were on the receiving end of his kind hearted and generous ways, as well. From making them his famous French toast complete with a big glass of chocolate milk, attending their ball games and school events, or simply just being there for them, Steve made himself available at every opportunity. Besides his delicious French toast, Steve was a great cook. His scrumptious potato salad was handed down from his mother, and his beef and noodles, and chicken and noodles will most certainly be missed.

The heart of Steven Tackwell was never ending. With his selfless nature, Steven would have given the shirt off his back to help someone. He led by way of example, and he taught his children well. A man of integrity, he was devoted in all he did, and generous beyond compare. For those who knew him best, Steve will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Steven Paul Tackwell, 69, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 9:28 a.m. Monday, May 30, 2016 at his home. Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Shirlee Tackwell; son, Jeff (Angie) Tackwell, of Leo; sisters, Janet (Dave) Pennell, Cindy (Dave) Huffman, and Sharon McCann, all of Fort Wayne; brothers, Tom (Lorna) Tackwell of Chelsea, Michigan and Greg Tackwell of Brookings, Oregon; grandchildren, Blase McKinney, Aressa Tackwell, Lauren Tackwell and Luke Tackwell; twin great-grandsons, Emmitt and Elijah Bays; numerous nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jason Patrick Tackwell on January 9, 1996; and a sister, Judith Coyne.

Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Thomas A. Eggold of Emmanuel Lutheran Church officiating. He will be laid to rest near his son at Oak Grove (Compton) Cemetery where military honors will be rendered by the Whitley County Korean Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the donors choice. To read share a favorite memory or photo, send online- condolences and to sign his online guest register, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com .