Steven Craig Rutter

Steven Craig Rutter (Steve) was born on July 11, 1954, to Norma Anne (Willis) and Harry Wilbur Rutter, Jr. in Elyria, Ohio. He died at home peacefully in his sleep the morning of May 8, 2025. He grew up the oldest son of an Air Force officer, thereby having moved quite often to different areas across the nation. He claimed to have attended 17 different schools during his schooling years, which made it a little difficult to form close friendships. He was so envious of Dana, his wife, because her graduating class was made up of over half of the people she went to school with all 12 years. He helped Dana plan and execute the 40-year Reunion for her graduating class and like the other spouses of the class members, he became an Honorary Member of the 1970 Wynnewood High school Savages.

There is no doubt that had he spent more time in each school, he would have made lifelong friends. Proof of this was the number of friends he still had from his various jobs. He was especially close to his coworkers from Scrivner, Inc., which later became Fleming Foods. He really enjoyed the guys he played darts with, adopting the name “Garage Guys” because they gathered to play darts after work in the garages of the different homes.

Steve loved little children and babies and was affectionately referred to as “Uncle Stevie” by all of his nieces and nephews. His love for children was put into action for many years (that he thoroughly enjoyed) putting on his Santa Suit at Christmas time. He never charged anyone for his Santa services. It was his calling.

On July 6, 1991, Steve married Dana Gay Tolle in Midwest City. The majority of their married life was spent in Midwest City with a few years in Moore where they lived when their son, Blake, was born in 1996. Steve and Dana were longtime members of Wickline United Methodist Church where they were members of the Koinonia Sunday School Class, and he served a short time as Vice President of the Church Council.

Steve was preceded in death by his dad, Lt. Col. Harry W. Rutter, Jr.; his grandparents, Harry W. Rutter, Sr. and Goldie Wanda (Borror) Cox; grandparents Henry and Mary Willis; his in-laws, E.W. and Lura Nell (Blakley) Tolle; and a baby daughter, Angela Tolle Rutter. Also preceding him was Robyn Litney, mother of Mary, James, and twin stepdaughters, Sherry Cheatwood and Carrie Smith.

He is survived, by his mother, Norma Rutter; wife, Dana; His children; James Travis Rutter and wife, Wendie and family; son, Blake Lee Rutter and his loving life partner, Ari McGee and a yet-to-be named grandchild due this year. He is also survived by a brother, Harry Stuart and wife, Lin (Massey) Stuart; niece and nephew, Drew MacKenzie and Graham Harry Stuart; Sister Peggy Diane Killinger and husband Duane, niece Kelley Killinger and husband, Richard and great nephew, recently born, Henry Kane Killinger; niece Amanda Killinger and great-nieces Janet and Anita; sister Rochelle (Shelly) Anne Ferguson, husband Mark, niece Jessica Anne and husband Jesse Scarborough and great-niece, Kaylee; and nephew Eric Paul Ferguson. Other family survivors include special sisters-in-law, Rita Tolle; Lois Clarkson and husband Ben and daughters, Cara Wagner and Lisa Ludlam and family; and a special brother-in-law Wayland Tolle and family.

Services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 2:30pm at Wickline United Methodist Church, 417 Mid America Blvd. Pastor Tiffany A. Nagel Monroe and Pastor Sam Tucker will officiate the service. The memorial service will be live-streamed on the Wickline United Methodist Church Facebook Page. A private burial will take place in the near future at the Hydro Masonic Cemetery next to his baby daughter, Angela.