A Celebration of Life will be held for Stephen William Lewis on Monday, May 31 at Worden Cornerstone Church, 294 East 900 Road, in rural Douglas County. Friends and neighbors are invited to join his family at 11:00 am for a service of remembrance, comfort, and celebration. Steve was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, co-worker, neighbor, and friend. He died Friday, May 21, 2021 at his home, of cancer. He was 72. He will be sorely missed.

Steve was born on January 20, 1949, in Oak Park, Illinois. He was the second of 10 children born to Robert O'Dell Lewis and Verla Jeanne Schneider Lewis. Steve grew up in Hinsdale, a suburb of Chicago, in a rambling Victorian house full of love, laughter, and lost socks. Steve attended St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School, Hinsdale Township High School, and graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education in 1971. He married his high school sweetheart, Lorel June Rezek, on January 20, 1970, at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus. He called Lorel "the best birthday present I ever got." She called him her "best friend." "Their song" in high school was Happy Together. And after 51 years, they still were.

Steve taught junior and senior high school English and Language Arts for 7 years in Illinois and Kansas, then owned and operated his own business, Soots Me Chimneysweeping, for 10 years. In 1990 he hired on as a dispatcher for Douglas County and the following year was promoted to the rank of Deputy Sheriff. During his 25-year career with the Sheriff's Office, he served as a Field Training Officer, firearms instructor, training sergeant, transport sergeant, and was a member of the County Jail Transition team, where he wrote job descriptions, policy, and procedures for the new county jail. He was then assigned to the corrections division. He supervised the kitchen and launched the inmate worker program. He moved to the training division and instituted in-house quarterly training for both the Operations and Corrections divisions. In 2008 he was assigned to special projects and served as the Public Information Officer. He also oversaw the Sheriff's Citizen's Academy, worked with the Citizen's Academy Alumni Group, launched the Sheriff's Facebook page, organized and initiated Project Lifesaver in Douglas County, developed the Drug Take Back program, promoted Smart 911, edited the Kansas Sheriff's Association magazine, and represented the Sheriff's Office in many state and local civic organizations. In 2013 he was reclassified to the rank of Lieutenant. When he retired in June of 2014 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

But Steve's priority and joy was his family. He is survived by his wife, Lorel, and his daughters Molly (Jonathan) Glauner of Lawrence, Kansas, and Elizabeth (John) Rulifson of Shawnee, Kansas. He adored his grandchildren: Emma Rodgers, Lorel Rodgers, Kristina Rasmussen, Jack Rasmussen, Ray Rulifson, and Rose Rulifson. He also lovingly leaves behind his amazing brothers and sisters: Greg Lewis of Lawrence, Kansas; Jim Lewis (Nancy O'Connor) of Lawrence, Kansas; Connie Culbertson (Roy) of Belleville, Illinois; Nancy (Dan) Ward of Weaverville, North Carolina; David (Mona) Lewis of Livingston, Montana; Tim Lewis of Littleton, Colorado; Marsha (Jeff) Sebek of Chicago, Illinois; Andy (Juda) Lewis of Lawrence, Kansas; and Matt (Maggie Carpenter) Lewis of New Paltz, New York, as well as 20 beloved nieces and nephews. Steve loved, guided, and protected us all. As one neighbor wrote of him, "although my guardian angel is no longer with us in the flesh, I know he'll still be watching over me. However, I will miss his side of the conversation when we talk." Our sentiments exactly.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Family Promise of Lawrence, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

We love you, Stephen William Lewis. God be with you 'til we meet again.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on May 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Lewis

4 Entries

Karl Birns

May 29, 2021

Steve and Laurel were the first folks we meet when we were looking at the house we bought down the road from them. That was 38 years ago.They drove by in their VW bus and we knew these were the neighbors we'd love to have. Over the years we raised our kids together, had sledding parties behind our house. One year Steve over shot and landed in the creek. We all did the "Big Squeeze " and annual combined B-day parties for me, Terry and Steve. He and Laurel are the best neighbors and friends anyone could have. I'm glad I got the chance to let him know that we love him before the end. Thank you Steve for being a part of mine and my families lives. I'll see you in the next!!!!

Tom Overmyer

May 26, 2021

Dear Mrs. Lewis and family:
I am heartbroken to hear of Mr. Lewis’ passing. You both made such a positive impact on me as a student at Rossville High School. Mr. Lewis was a very strong male role model and mentor for me. When I was belligerent and out of line he held me accountable but in a respectful way, and when I made adjustments in my behavior and my outlook, he let me know he noticed and offered great encouragement along the way. You were both a vital part of my formative years. I always meant to track you down and thank you both in person. His passing is a sad reminder as to the downside of procrastination. So, I say it to you now: Thank you for being your genuine, funny, kind, incisive and inclusive selves. Thank you also for making it so clear that you both believed in me and for making me feel seen and heard and understood. It has made all the difference in my life as I ventured far from Rossville, and helped me develop the social skills to transition into college and then out into the world.
Sending you love and light as you deal with this tremendous loss.
Sincerely,
Thomas Woodward Overmyer (RHS class of 1980)
aka Tom Woodward
Fairview Park, Ohio

FOP Chaplain

May 26, 2021

Members of Lawrence Lodge #2 Fraternal Order of Police give their prayers and condolences to the family of Lt. John Lewis. We mourn the passing of our friend and brother in law enforcement.

FOP Chaplain

Kenny Massey

May 26, 2021

Steve was a great human being - a great co-worker. We had many spirited debates (which he always won). One of the smartest people I ever worked with at the SO. After each debate, I always came away enlightened with more knowledge, RIP Steve

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