Steven Sledd

Steve R. Sledd, 60, passed away July, 27th, 2010 at Miami County Medical Center. Steve was born February 5th, 1950 in Independence, Missouri to Doris and Pat Sledd. He graduated in 1968 from Washington High School in Kansas. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Marines and served for 4 years spending that time in Okinawa, Japan. He married Rita Mahoney in 1972 and they became the parents of 3 children, Jesse, Lisa & Sarah. After the marriage ended Steve married Linda Olson in 1996 and became a stepfather to two sons, Kenny and Brian. They resided on a small farm in Osawatomie, Kansas owning two small businesses, Finishing Line Body Shop as well as Zannah"s Floral. Steve loved serving his church and community in many ways, one of which was helping to establish My Father"s House, a homeless shelter in Paola. He was active in Prison Ministry and the Stop Violence program through the Kansas Department of Corrections becoming the volunteer of the year in 2004. He organized many reintegration services for paroles helping them to transition back into the community. Steve"s greatest accomplishment and the one he took the most pride in was mentoring children at Lakemary Center and continuing to be a positive role model while they were in foster or group homes. In 2005 Steve joined the volunteer Fire Department in Osawatomie and became a firefighter as well as a member of the Water Rescue Team, playing a critical role in the flood of 2007. Steve"s other accomplishment were being a member of the Citizens Academy for the Miami County Sheriff"s Department, Big Brother Big Sisters of Miami County, Christmas in October, and Career Days at Paola and Osawatomie High Schools. Also in 2005 Steve began classes for pottery at Johnson County Community College and became a successful artist. He leaves behind his wife Linda Sledd of Osawatomie in a loving marriage believing that "My beloved is mine and I am his" from the book of Songs 2:16. Father of 3 children, Jesse who preceded him to heaven in 1999, Lisa Scherman and Sarah Sledd and Step father to 2 sons, Kenny Olson and Brian Olson. He was blessed with two loving daughter-in laws, Megan and Annie and a wonderful son in law, Mike Scherman. His parents, Doris and Fred Ristow, Pat and Nancy Sledd, and mother in law Jennie Skuban; brothers, Lynn, Doug, Randy, Jim, and Larry. He has 7 grandchildren that lit up his life everyday; Maddie, Taylor, Myah, Sadie, Carter, Aiden and Jordan. He will be greatly missed by the community, his friends, but mostly by his family whom he loved very much. Memorials may be made to the Sledd Memorial Fund.