Clifford LaVerne “Red” Steckman, 84, of Bunker Hill, Kansas, passed away Friday, October 16, 2020, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Red was born May 11, 1936, in Maywood, Nebraska. He was one of six children born to Doral C. and Mae Etta (Noah) Steckman. He grew up in California and Nebraska, graduating from Palisade, Nebraska in 1954.
Red served his country in the U.S. Air Force for eight and half years. He was a Crash Rescue and Fireman.
Red was united in marriage to Patricia Thayer on May 17, 1957, in Fort Morgan, Colorado, while he was in the military. This union was blessed with five children; Cliff, Leroy, LaResa, Charles and Tonnett. After his service, they lived in Macksville, Wichita, St. John, Johnson, Colby and Bunker Hill.
Red was an independent Truck Driver for many companies. He was the owner and operator of the Steckman Construction Company in the '70s. He was a Lineman for St. John and Johnson, Kansas; did road maintenance in Stafford County, ran a loader for Brown & Brown and Venture Corp in Great Bend and retired from Venture. He was a member of the Russell American Legion Post #99. Red was an adventurous man who enjoyed being outside. He loved fishing, hunting coyotes and sharing his great sense of humor with family and friends.
Surviving family include his wife of 63 years, Patricia of the home; sons, Cliff Steckman of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Leroy Steckman (Joetta) of Russell, Kansas, Charles Steckman (Deborah) of Houston, Texas; daughters, LaResa Likes (Eugene) of Great Bend, Kansas and Tonnett Rusch (Ruby) of Ellsworth, Kansas; sisters, Frances Moreland of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Lee Summers of Whitewater, Kansas and Mary McCune of Pratt, Kansas; 18 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.
Red was preceded in death by his parents, brother Doral Eugene Steckman, sister Claudine Butters and grandson Colton Leroy Cousins.
A Memorial Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 22, 2020, at the Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Kansas. Cremation has taken place and no visitation will be held. Military Rites will be conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard. A Memorial has been established at the Clifford Steckman Memorial Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.