Stephen “Steve” A. Power, age 89, of Granger, IN, died peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Steve was born on December 20, 1936, in Lincoln, Illinois, the eldest child of Edna (Sparks) and Stephen A. Power. Steve had one sister, Edna Elizabeth “Beth” Morris, who preceded him in death.

In his early years, Steve was an altar server for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and deliver newspapers as a Lincoln Courier carrier boy. From an early age, he developed a lifelong passion for sports.

Steve graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954. He was an honors student, National Honor Society member and had the highest scholastic standing among all senior boys. He served as senior class president and was a three-time captain of the varsity basketball team. He also played baseball and ran cross-country. He loved golf and spent countless hours playing and competing in tournaments. However, Steve’s greatest achievement in high school was meeting the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Debelak, Lincoln High class of 1957.

After high school, Steve attended the University of Notre Dame on an Evans Scholarship. In his free time, he could be found in the gym, playing basketball or on the golf course. His fondest memories from Notre Dame, besides going to dances with Pat, were winning the interhall basketball championship for Pangborn Hall and during his senior year, winning the Interhall All-Campus Championship-a tournament where 84 teams in 16 leagues competed.

In 1958, Steve and Pat were married and began what would become a 66-year adventure filled with love, laughter, faith and seven children. The newlyweds moved to Peoria, Illinois where Steve taught mathematics and coached Richwoods Community High School until 1964. Their first four children were born there.

In 1965, the family moved to Deerfield, Illinois where their last three children were born and Steve continued his career teaching and coaching at Evanston High School. Steve’s proudest coaching moment was in 1968, when the Evanston High School Boys’ Basketball team won the state basketball championship. The historic team was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1974.

In1971, Steve became the varsity basketball coach at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois. A dedicated educator, Steve taught mathematics, SAT preparation classes and summer school, while also spending countless hours tutoring until retirement in 1996.

A passionate alum of Notre Dame, Steve and Pat moved to Granger, Indiana in 1997 to be close to campus. He enjoyed football and basketball games and visiting the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on campus. In retirement, he was an avid golfer and became a member of the Knollwood Country Club. Steve was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Saint Pius X Catholic Church where he counted the collection, served at funeral luncheons and deliver meals to the Center for the Homeless. Retirement allowed Steve and Pat to visit family and friends, traveling all over the US and abroad. Special trips included the Bahamas (25th anniversary), Hawaii (50th anniversary), Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia, among others.

Steve and Pat built a life centered on family. He wanted to leave a legacy for his children and grandchildren. He researched and documented the family’s genealogy and converted home movies into more than 120 DVDs. He made sets for each of his children preserving memories for future generations. He also wrote a handwritten letter entitled “10 Points of Advice”, sharing wisdom he hoped would guide his children and grandchildren throughout their lives. His advice encouraged them to be happy, healthy and holy and reflected the values by which he lived.

Steve’s family will remember him for his quick wit, competitive spirit, devotion to Notre Dame, love of sport, commitment to education, deep faith and above all, his unwavering love for Pat and his family. The lessons he taught, the memories he preserved, and the values he lived will continue through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Last, Steve wanted to express his heartfelt gratitude to his hematology-oncology physician, Dr. Arafat Ansari, whom he credited with saving his life and giving him additional years to spend with his beloved wife and family.

Steve is survived by his seven children: Teri Riess (Marty) of Bloomington, IN; Steve Power Jr. (Linda) of St. Charles, IL; Julie Pisani (Jim) St. Charles, IL; Greg Power (Beth) of Lexington, KY; Trisha Vankoski (Steve) of Ft. Wayne, IN; Suzanne Letherman (Pete) of Granger, IN and Chris Power (Kristin) of Geneva, IL.

He is also survived by his 20 grandchildren: Ausin Power (Caitlyn), Katelyn Power, Melissa Reinke (Patrick), Paige Strocchia (Pat), Amanda Welage (Ryan), Anne Pisani, Hans Riess (Becca), Megan Henderson (Jake), Mike Vankoski, Faith Power (Oliver), Ryan Power (Lauren), Christina Riess, Jacob Power, Kiley Power, Andrew Letherman, Cecilia Letherman, Hailey Power, Patrick Letherman, Sean Power and Reese Power; seven great-grandchildren: Ella Power, Hazel Power, Sophie Reinke, Isabella Strocchia, Graham Welage, Will Reinke and William Henderson, as well as nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, parents, sister and granddaughter, Grace Letherman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to mass at the church.

Steve will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lincoln, IL at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Steve’s memory to the Sweet Pea Foundation at www.sweetpeafoundation.org.