Stephen “Steve” Stechschulte

KALIDA - Stephen “Steve” Stechschulte, 78, of Kalida, died at 12:15 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026, at The Meadows of Kalida. He was born August 20, 1947, in Lima, to the late Harold and Imelda M. (Rellinger) Stechschulte. On May 13, 1993, he married Geraldine “Gerri” Schmersal, who preceded him in death on April 13, 2013.

Survivors include four children: Stephanie (Thomas) Stoll of Ashland, Denise (Jeremy) Roberts of Holly Springs, MS, James (Jennifer) Stechschulte of Manlius, NY and Mindi (Joe) Maag of Kalida; ten grandchildren: Brianna (Rosten) Smith, Maclerin (Jacob) Kahle, Annaleice Maag, Dillon Maag, all of Kalida, Sydney (Blake) Proctor of Miami, FL, Brandon Tate, Andrew Tate, both of Findlay, Evan Martin of IN, Tabitha Stechschulte and Lucas Stechschulte, both of NY; five great-grandchildren; four siblings: Susan (Jim) Burgei, John (Sharon) Stechschulte, both of Kalida, Mary (Bob) Leichty of Payne and Matt (Dee) Stechschulte of Ft. Jennings; a sister-in-law, Martha Stechschulte of Kalida; many nieces and nephews; and in-laws: Eugene (Nancy) Schmersal of Kalida, Charles (Robbin) Schmersal of Pandora, Robert (Mary Jo) Schmersal of Glandorf, Paul Schmersal of Ottawa, Thomas (Diane) Schmersal of Florida, Kevin (Beverly) Schmersal of Ottawa, Patricia Dallal of Kalida, Syvila Nick, Mary (Bob) Sherman, both of Ottawa, Lisa (Leroy) Schroeder of Miller City and Cynthia (Jay) Harden of Cygnet.

He is also preceded in death by a daughter, Suzanne Ricker-Tate; two siblings: Mark Stechschulte and Luke (Janice) Stechschulte; and in-laws: Carolyn Schmersal, Elie Dallal and John Nick.

Steve retired from Remlinger Manufacturing, where he worked as a truck driver. He formerly worked in the agricultural industry for 15 years as well as a safety director in construction for 3 years. He was a past president of the following organizations: League of Ohio Sportsmen, Ohio Wildlife Federation, Ohio Chapter of the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association and the Putnam County Youth Shooting Program. Steve served as program director of the Ohio Youth Hunter Education Challenge for 20 years and was involved with the International Youth Hunter Education Challenge for 25 years.

Steve was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Kalida. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working with young people in outdoor sports and spoiling the great-grandkids.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 26, 2026, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Kalida with Fr. Phil Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township. A scripture service will begin at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Kalida Fish and Game Club.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com