Stephen L. Irwin

Stephen L. Irwin, 68, Zionsville, passed away December 28, 2016 at his residence. He was born on September 2, 1948 in Indianapolis, IN. Steve was a graduate of the first graduating class of Northwest High School in 1967. He retired after 33 years of service with the Town of Zionsville Wastewater Treatment Plant. An avid golfer, Steve was a member of the Trophy Club Golf Course. He was a member of Zionsville Fellowship. In 1976, Steve married Deborah C. (Rice) Irwin, and she survives. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael L. & Shaun Irwin; his daughter and son-in-law, Rachel C. & Matthew Beauchamp; his grandchildren, Allison, Kaitlyn, and Hailey Irwin, and Jacob and Maggie Beauchamp; his brother and sister-in-law, Scott & Sarah Herring; and his nephew, Silas Herring. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Jack L. Irwin, his mother, Wanda L. Herring, his sister, Pamela Sue Irwin, and his step-father, Edwin Herring. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 3 PM at Zionsville Fellowship, 9090 W. Oak Street, Zionsville. Visitation will be on Monday, January 2, 2017 from 5-8 PM at Zionsville Fellowship. Burial will be in Union Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to The Clinic at Neighborhood Fellowship Church, 3102 E. 10th Street,Indianapolis, IN 46201. A tribute to Steve’s life may be viewed online at www.flannerbuchanan.com, where condolences may be shared with his family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan- Zionsville.

Steve Irwin

September 2, 1948 ~ December 28, 2016

Celebration of Life

Prelude…………………………………………………………Judy Streeter

"No More Light"………………………………………………Sue Wickliff

Scripture: Selections from Romans 8…………………….Matt Beauchamp

Opening Remarks & Prayer………………………………..Tom Streeter

"Be Thou My Vision" (#382)………………………………..Congregation

Remembrances……………………………………………….Jerry Fritts & Deb Irwin

"I Can Only Imagine"………………………………………..David Herbon

Message……………………………………………………….Tom Streeter

"Give Me Jesus"………………………………………………Sue Wickliff

Closing Remarks……………………………………………..Tom Streeter

"Victory in Jesus" (#473)…………………………………….Congregation

Postlude………………………………………………………..Judy Streeter

By Deborah Irwin:

My desire today is to honor my husband and give God the glory through my thoughts, words and actions. I would like to share with you reflections of Steve’s last months and God’s amazing presence I our lives. He guided us gracefully through this journey. After receiving the diagnosis of metastatic cancer, Steve said, “It is what it is.” This was his statement of acceptance. He was a man of few words. I closed my eyes and reached out my hands and said “Lord, he belongs to you, please take care of him.” Then, I prayed, “help us love and cherish each other, living each day to the fullest as we glorify you with our actions.” We were blessed with several months together, which were not expected. Steve’s overall health improved with no further complications. He was able to do some of the things he enjoyed doing. He played golf, attended church a few times, and spent a lot of time in his shop with his family. He would get up early, go to his shop to tinker and putz around. One morning he drove himself to Woodcrafters by Castleton to get a specific wood carving tool he needed for the bowl he was completing for Rachel. Fortunately, I was still asleep and didn’t know he was gone. Steve and the Mustang also disappeared one afternoon after he had decided it should be started and driven to keep the battery charged. I immediately called Rachel and asked,“is Dad at your house?” “No.” He soon returned home after a short drive knowing I did not approve of driving and pain meds. Always working on something, a concern I had was “morphine and power tools!” The two just did not mix well! Steve took great pride in the projects he did and wanted to continue doing them. He also enjoyed his quiet time alone in his shop, smoking cigars and watching CNN or golf. Friends stopping by to see him always brightened his day as he sat in his recliner. Steve always looked forward to Michael and Rachel calling, which was almost every day. And frequent visits from them and the grandkids were always special. He said several times, “I love my family so much.” And they loved him dearly. Covered in prayer by so many friends, we were both able to stay strong for each other. God gave us “the peace that surpasses all understanding.” There were times we just sat together; talking wasn’t necessary. With our assurance of salvation through Christ, our Savior, we did not have to fear. With joy in our hearts, we thanked God for all the wonderful things he was blessing us with. Our heavenly Father never left our side, as he promised. He mercifully took Steve home after he lost the battle with cancer. But Steve won the final victory through Jesus! I praise the Lord as I grieve and deeply miss him, knowing I will be with him again in eternity. God is good.