Steven Craig Phifer

His year-long battle with bile duct cancer ended his long run of quiet strength and unwavering support for the family he so dearly loved. He did not go quietly, regularly attending his grandchildren’s activities and finally taking his dream cruise to Alaska in June. A man of few words, he was tough but gentle, determined but always compassionate.

Steve was born in Holdrege, Neb., on June 19, 1955 – the third of 5 kids born to Paul and Thelma Phifer. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to Fort Collins, Colo., where he spent the next 20-plus years becoming the stoic, scholarly man familiar to so many friends and family members.

In many ways, he was dealt a bad hand. He fought through bad knees, poor eyesight, Parkinson’s disease, cancer and a truly awful golf swing to succeed in life. He attended St. Joseph’s School, Canon City Abbey and Poudre High School (Class of ’73) before his mathematical and athletic talent led him to Colorado School of Mines.

An avid runner from an early age, he was running 50 miles a week before most people were aware of the running craze that hit in the late 1960s. He ran dozens of road races – including a half-marathon to the top of Pike’s Peak – while still in high school and qualified for state in the 880 as a senior.

Always an over-achiever who loved camping and the Colorado mountains, he became an Eagle Scout at age 13 and for many years held the record as the youngest Scout in the state to earn that prestigious honor. He ran on the track and cross-country teams at Mines and earned a degree in mining engineering while doing his best to keep the iconic Coors brewery in business.

By far his greatest achievement in his young life was somehow convincing Deb Ramsey – Mines had 11 males for every female back then - to go on a date and eventually marry. Their marriage lasted 47 years and produced three amazing children: Lisa (Jared Jones) Phifer, Craig Phifer and Kim (Dan Klatzkin) Phifer, who would all go on to successful careers while raising the grandkids Steve adored.

A lifelong Catholic, Steve was active at St. Michael Church and the Knights of Columbus in Staunton, Ill., where he and Deb lived for more than 40 years building their careers and family. Steve was an engineer at coal mines in the area and remained passionate about his work even after his cancer diagnosis.

Among his many passions were grilling, collecting hats to protect his very bald head and gardening. He was a classic rock fan, and loved participating in his Parkinson’s exercise classes. His greatest love – outside of his family – was for the St. Louis Cardinals, whom he followed from a very young age before raising his children to love them.

Steve is survived by his wife, three children and seven grandchildren: Calvin, Zoe and Eric Phifer; Jonah and Theo Jones; and Cameron and Quinn Klatzkin. Two of his siblings – Tony (Kathy) Phifer of Fort Collins and Paula Phifer of Greeley, Colo. – survive, along with many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Tim and sister, Terri, who died just 12 days earlier.

A memorial will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Alexander Funeral Home – Newburgh Chapel in Newburgh, IN. A Mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton, Ill. at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Steve’s ashes will be buried in his beloved Colorado mountains near his parents and siblings.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Evansville YMCA Parkinson’s Programs and/or Staunton Food Pantry. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com