Visitation will be July 28, 2020 at Resthaven for immediate family. Arrangements are by Dignity Memorial.
Military Honors will be held at an undisclosed future date.
Steve was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to David and Barbara Oertel on July 29, 1961. He married to Erin McDaniel Oertel on December 4, 2011 in Wichita, KS.
He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force after 22 years of honorable service and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal with one silver oak leaf and one bronze oak leaf cluster; Air Force Achievement Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters; Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters; Antarctic Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters; Air Force Training Ribbon; Air Force Overseas Tour Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster; and served in support of the National Science Foundation Antarctica Research Program; Operation Deep Freeze; Operation Desert Thunder/Southern Watch; and Operation Glad Customer.
He was a member or involved in the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Wichita, Fairland Christian Church in Indiana, and Albert Pike Masonic Lodge #303.
Steve is preceded in death by his father David Stephen; grandparents Ruby Hunter Carnall and Eddie Lee Pike, Otto and Elizabeth Oertel; and his sister Kimberly Jean.
Steve is survived by his spouse Erin; former spouse Ruth; children Stephen Jr. (wife Cathy), Heather, Melissa, Josh Trimble and his wife Krystal, Erica Trimble, and Brent Trimble; mother Barbara; brother Jeff (wife Penny); sister Cindy Edrington (husband Greg); aunt Jackie Pike Ramstedt (husband Peter); and 16 grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to The National Police Dog Foundation, Wounded Warriors Foundation, and the Veterans Administration Medical Centers.
