Steven D. Free

Steven Dale Free was born on Tuesday, January 14, 1958, at home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the son of Harold Edwin and Shirley Ruth (Dobbs) Free. Steve moved from Oklahoma City to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas in 1982, where he made his home until his death on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at the age of fifty-three years. Steve attended Western Heights High School in Oklahoma City with the class of 1976, later earning his G.E.D. His lifelong career was in drywall installation and painting for construction companies in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Minnesota. Steve served in the United States Navy on the USS Blue Ridge from 1975 to 1976. He attended Community Foursquare Church in Ottawa and was a member of Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and Oklahoma Sooners fan clubs. Steve enjoyed watching softball and was an avid fisherman. He loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed baking cookies with his nieces. Steve had a big heart and would do anything for his family. In 1978, Steve was united in marriage with Dana Rowlands in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They were later divorced. In 1996, Steve was united in marriage with Jana Ransom in Ottawa, Kansas. They were later divorced. Steve is survived by his son, James Partain of Oklahoma; two stepdaughters, Brittany Ransom of McCallister, Oklahoma, Megan Ransom of McCallister, Oklahoma, four brothers, Wesley Free of Oklahoma, Craig Free and his wife, Linda, of San Diego, California, Kevin Free and his wife, Michelle, of Ottawa, Kansas, Darin Free and his wife, Heather, of Cordell, Oklahoma; sister, Stephanie Ingram and her husband, Tony, of Ottawa, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews including Anthony Ingram, Candice Gragg, Justine Ingram, and Thomas Ingram. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Shirley Free. SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2011. IN STATE: Mr. Free will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday to the service hour, where family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 Monday evening. CEMETERY: Graveside services will be at Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Steve D. Free Memorial Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.