Steven L. Bailey

Steven L. Bailey, 62, died May 2, 2018 in Lewis, KS. He was born August 22, 1955 in Spearville, KS. the son of Frank and Barbara Bailey.

Steven is survived by: three daughters Alisha Bailey, Shelly Bailey, and  Samantha Wig; 11 grandchildren; 3 sisters Mara Gill of Marlow, OK, Leanna Holguin of Macksville, KS and Beverly Paradis of Plainville, CT.  He was preceded in death by his parents Frank E. Bailey Jr. and Barbara A. Bailey as well as his older brother James D. Bailey.

Steve lived the majority of his life in the Lewis area from 1962 to his passing in 2018. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family playing games and joking.  He developed his own repertoire of phrases over the years that have become infamous quotes of his 22 nieces and nephews.  "You better simmer down"  "Dag-nabber"  "Hey Now Hey Now"  "You better straighten up" "Dangar" always said in Steve's unique tone that we will miss so much.

Steve worked in various jobs throughout the years including farming, and driving a dump truck for Heft and Sons for over the past 10 years.  He took pride in working hard and playing harder.  His friend and former employer Ed Eslinger said of Steve, "He was one of the strongest and toughest men I have ever met."  He made many friends in his life and wanted to make sure to say a special thanks to Earl Evans "He's been there through thick and thin" and to Bill & Sherry Lovette, they were there especially in the final months, to help with anything he needed from running errands to staying at the house with him. Thank you to all who were friends and cared for him through the years.

In the summer of 1997 after the passing of his older brother James D. Bailey, while walking with his nephew he said "I just want to know Jesus like Jim knew Jesus."  This began a new chapter in his life  which included answering the call of his mother to move back into the family home in 2004 to help his mom and dad as she battled cancer, until she passed December 2006.  He continued to take care of his dad until his passing February of 2017. During this time he developed a close relationship with his dad and provided great peace to the rest of his family.  Although he had a strong, tough exterior, his family knew him to have one of the biggest hearts of any man and he has been referred to as a guardian angel of our family for his service to his parents.

On Wednesday May 2nd, at 9:38 pm our beloved brother, dad, and uncle  passed into Glory surrounded by love as his sisters and many of his nieces and nephews were gathered in the room to make sure he knew he was loved.