Stephen D. "Steve" Gripp

Stephen D. “Steve” Gripp, 69, died November 7, 2022 at Lutheran Life Villages, Pine Valley. Born in Carbondale, Illinois he was the son of the late John and Juanita Borger Gripp. Steve graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, Indiana and Indiana University, Bloomington with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Advertising. Steve never knew a stranger and was always making friends wherever he went. He spent most of his career with Hormel Foods as a territory manager in several cities in the Midwest, and on the east coast before being relocated to Fort Wayne. After Hormel he worked in the wellness area at the Jorgensen YMCA for 13 years. Steve was a talented artist and passionate about all areas of history but, especially the Civil War. He loved visiting historical sites, and Civil War battlefields. He used his artistic talent to create large scale dioramas of the battles. Steve is survived by his wife, Christy; siblings, Richard (Jo) Gripp, Cheryl (Roland) Six, and, Kim Gripp; nephews, Mark Douglas Zukunft, Bryan Gripp, Chris Cobb and LJ Kleger; nieces, Meaghan Six; Rachel Gripp, Sophia Gripp and Isabel Gripp and, MacKenzie Hoyne; Sisters-in-law, Judy Gripp, Mary Cox (Jim Coffey), and Maggie (Joel) Kleger; close friend, Max Hite. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Doug Gripp and, niece, Angie Zukunft. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 12PM to 2PM and 3 PM to 5 PM at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 6750 Covington Road, Fort Wayne. A Memorial Service will be Monday, December 12, 2022 at 10 AM at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions can be made to Lutheran Life Village, Pine Valley, Parkview Hospice, to Steve’s Memorial Fund at https://gofund.me/5e8a6e16 or charity of your choice. Per Steve and his families’ request, feel free to dress casual for his visitation and services. A livestream of Steve's Service will take place on the Greenlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park Facebook Page. Share fond memories or condolences at www.greenlaenmpfh.com.