Stephen “Steve” Hardy Mapes, age 70, passed away peacefully at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at his home in Oak Grove, Missouri.
Steve was born on October 28, 1942, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Horace Capron Mapes and Dorothy Marie (Outhouse) Mapes.
While Steve’s life was cut short due to illness he lived a full and interesting life. Steve’s father served in the US Border Patrol so Steve grew up along both the US/Mexico and US/Canada International borders. Steve was the third of five children. He spent most of his childhood in International Falls, Minnesota, where he loved hunting and fishing. Steve’s family moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where he graduated from High school in 1961. Steve excelled in swimming, scuba diving, and running.
Steve joined the Navy and proudly served his county in the Pacific from 1961 to 1966 during the Vietnam War. He married Laura “Merisa” (TEWID) Mapes in 1965. Steve met Merisa in Guam and they were later married on her native island of Palau at the Sacred Heart Church in Koror. Steve and Merisa lived in Saulte Ste Marie, Michigan until 1974 when they moved to Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Over the years Steve worked as a maintenance man, a boiler operator for the US Air Force, and later ran his own retail store with his wife in downtown Mt. Clemens for over 20 years. Steve’s store was a gathering place for many dear patrons and Steve helped many people there through those years. In 2007, Steve and Merisa officially retired and moved to their current home in Oak Grove, Missouri, to live near their son. Steve was a sensitive man and a gifted poet. He had a very deep sense of patriotism and was very dedicated to the Lord. Steve was skilled in carpentry and machinery and was a “do it yourself handy man” long before it became fashionable.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 48 years Laura “Merisa” Mapes, his older sister Janet Lee Kahtava and her husband Tev, his sister Karen Switzer and her husband Richard, his brother Bruce and his wife Barb, his daughter Lisa Tracy and her husband Doug, his son Stephen and his wife Juli, five grandchildren: Michael and Mikayla Mapes and Trevor, Mary Lynn, and Abby Tracy, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest sister Mary Lynn (Mapes) Jeschke.
A Stephen Mapes memorial fund has been set up at his church with all proceeds going to provide aid and outreach to the people of Palau; donations may be made payable to the Church of Jesus Christ, Missionary Restoration Branch (Please include “Stephen Mapes Memorial Fund” in the check memo).
Per his wishes, Mr. Mapes was cremated. A memorial service will be held on June 15, 2013, at The Church of Jesus Christ, Missionary Restoration Branch, 3415 Elsea Smith Rd., Buckner, MO 64016, officiated by Brian Mundy. Visitation is at 10:00 AM; the memorial service will start at 11:00 AM.
Services provided by Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove (816) 690-4441.