Steven D. Newhard Sr.

It is with great sadness that the family of Steven Dale Newhard, Sr. former resident of Harlan, IN announces his passing after a long battle with multiple health issues on Monday August 13, 2018 at the age of 75 at St Marks Hospital, Salt Lake City Utah. He was born September 2, 1942, in Fort Wayne, IN. Son of Miles E ‘Pete’ Newhard and Naomi Gladys Puryear. He married Malinda Evard in 1961 in Fort Wayne. Steve was a 1960 graduate of North Side High School. After 45 years of service as a chemist, he retired from Uniroyal-Goodrich, in Woodburn, IN in 2007. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 20 years, earning Wood Badge beads, the George Meany and Silver Beaver award. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed singing in the church choir, traveling, genealogy, gardening, cooking and baking. In his younger years he spent time running, swimming and playing basketball. Steve will be lovingly remembered by his children: Steve (Dana) Newhard, Jr, Jill Newhard, Jim (Rebekeh) Newhard, Jared (Stephanie) Newhard, Jennie (Jonathan) Bothwell, Jacob (Jessica) Newhard, 28 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; former son-in-law William ‘Bill’ Benkenstein and Spence Pier; brothers Terry (Carol) Newhard and Ed (Terri) Newhard; and sister-in-law Sonia (John-dec) Plattner. Steve was preceded in death by his wife Malinda E (Evard) Newhard, daughter Julie Benkenstein, his parents Pete and Gladys Newhard, stepmother Florence and one grandson Steven-Lucas Newhard. Funeral service will be 3 pm, Saturday, August 18, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 5401 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, with calling from 10-12 and 1 to 3pm, prior to service. Burial will be at Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne, Memorial donations may be given to the Boy Scouts of America. As many of you know mu Father was preceded in death by one of his children and my sister Julie who passed away a little over 2 years ago. Tyler, Amy, Jason and Kristen offered these thoughts on her behalf. Tyler lived with Grandpa and Grandma for a time while a young adult and really enjoyed talking, laughing and joking with them. He especially enjoyed the evenings when they would watch David Letterman together and cry their eyes out laughing so hard. Grandpa loved to laugh and it was contagious. Amy and Kristen always loved going to Grandpa and Grandma's house as little girls and asking Grandpa if he would "Bake" some cookies. He would usually oblige and go pull a package of vanilla sandwich cookies out of the freezer, defrost them in the microwave and put them in the cookie jar for the kids. They loved that! On a day off from work, Grandpa met Julie and her son Jason's class downtown and spent a special day touring the gingerbread festival with them. Julie's children know that she loved her Dad, and that he was a Dad that would show up and be there for his kids. Two journal entries that they found seemed fitting: November 12, 1980: this was Jill's 14th birthday. It was also Daddy Date night at school for the Future Homemakers of America. It was really neat. It was one of the best dates I had ever been on. The speaker was the "Singing Sheriff" from southern Indiana. He was really good and he was hilarious!! Dad really liked him and we enjoyed our night together! June 14, 1996: I have been reading "The Christmas Box" by Richard Paul Evans, that I had to order from the Deseret book club. It is such an excellent book with a beautiful message. It's a story of hope for those who have lost a child. He recently wrote a prequel to it and was in Fort Wayne tonight for an autograph session. I asked dad if he would like to go to the book signing with me and he did! It was so neat to listen to Brother Evans. There were about 50 people there and Dad and I were the only LDS! I couldn't believe it. I bought his new book "Time Piece" and he autographed both of my books. When it was our turn, I told him that we were LDS too. He said he was so glad we came. I thanked him for his stories. I also said I know what it's like to be away from your family, that my husband was out of town (and I started to choke up). He asked where he was - I said near Los Angeles and I said how hard it is. He stood up and hugged me. I was so touched by this sweet and caring gesture. It reminded me of what the Savior would do. When he finished signing my books, I said"Thank you Brother Evans", and he replied (a little surprised) "it's good to hear that"and we shook hands. He said "it's good that you have your Dad". Jared and his kids went geode hunting with Dad and Mom in Iowa. Another time Jared's family enjoyed a vacation with Dad and Mom in Michigan. A few of those memories were collecting Petoskey Stones on the shore of Lake Michigan, riding the ski lift at Boyne Mountains and Grandpa making everyone laugh by the way he made fun with how Emma was crunching her bacon at the dinner table. Dad was a die hard IPFW, Indiana Tech and Woodlan basketball fan. He literally didn't miss a game I ever played in or coached, which spanned over 19 years. He was very involved with my teams. He talked to EVERYONE...my teammates, coaches, managers, trainers, other fans and even the bus drivers. He was so in his element at my games, he often would make himself to home on the bench during warm-ups. No one said a word to him about how he designated himself an honorary coach, probably because of endless encouraging words and his warm smile. He was also kind enough to give each and every referee a new name who he didn't think was fit to wear the stripes. He would make the entire gym aware of the refs new name by screaming HOMER over and over again at the top of his lungs. This was my mom's least favorite part. His lover and support of these teams were a direct result and reflection of his love and support of me. That's something I've never had to question and never will. As I think back on my childhood, I remember my father as being a self sufficient man. He was always working on his own cars, doing home repairs and gardening and canning. Working along side of him taught me a lot. I think of the countless hours that he spent in the parking lot of the high school waiting for his children to finish up with sports practices after he had already spent a long day at work, be he never complained. He was always there to support us and encourage us in any activity we chose to pursue. Recently I had the opportunity to read through his journal and it was full of entries of the successes of his family. He lived his life for his family, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Scouting was a passion of his. He knew that through the principles of scouting, boys were taught how to become men and he wanted this for his sons. I was fortunate to attend many scout camps with my father. He always taught by love and example. One of our favorite things to do at a week long summer camp was the mile swim together. When he was scoutmaster, some of the boys would like to play tricks or pranks on him. When they did his response would be, "I don't get even, I get a head", and he always did. After my mother passed away, I would go to visit him and take him out for lunch. He would always want Culvers and always ordered the same thing, pork tenderloin sandwich, side of coleslaw and fries and a root beer, and a turtle fudge sundae for dessert. He loved to serve others, to help them and to lift their spirits. He has a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that through him we can be reunited together as eternal families. He knows that death is only a temporary separation.