Stephen Ireland

Stephen Lewis Ireland, 76, of Ozark, Missouri passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on October 19, 2017 after a long struggle with cancer. His Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00pm on October 23, 2017 at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark, Missouri. An autobiography of Steve's life will be read by Mark Gideon, Theater Department Head at Hillcrest High school. Steve was born on June 15, 1941 in Independence, Kansas and the only member of his family to be born in a hospital. Steve graduated from Sabetha High School in Sabetha, Kansas. He continued his education and received a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas where he attended on a track scholarship. Steve is survived by his wife of 32 years, Susan (Joyce) Ireland. They were married in Lubbock, Texas on December 25, 1984. Also, daughters Stephanie Ireland and husband Ken Turner Springfield, Missouri, Heather (Ireland) Weter and husband Michael Weter Ozark, Missouri, sisters Rowena Taylor Wichita, Kansas, Luella Hinkle Waxhaw, North Carolina, Naomi Mueller and husband Don Colorado Springs, Colorado, and brother Gerald Ireland and wife Virginia Roswell, New Mexico as well as many extended family members and friends. Steve was preceded in death by his parents Reverend Benjamin Franklin Ireland and Katherine Elizabeth (Lewis) Ireland and a nephew Mike Mueller. Steve taught Industrial Arts in the Lubbock Independent School District and retired in 1996. Next he operated and then co-owned a machine shop for 10 years in Slaton, Texas. After which he and Susan moved to the Springfield, Missouri area. Steve's passion was training and running in track meets. He participated in track in Junior and High School, Pittsburg State University and then competed until age 50 in Master's Track events. Steve was a member of Dallas Master's Track Club, Dallas, Texas. In 1963 at Pittsburgh State University Steve was a member of a mile relay team that set a record that still holds today. In 2015 PSU honored this mile relay team by inducting them into their Athletics Hall of Fame. Steve served six years in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1969. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Patrick Henry (SSBN 599) which was a nuclear powered submarine. Steve was a member of the following Fraternal organizations in Texas: Emma Masonic Lodge #931, Crosbyton Masonic Lodge #1020, Tranquility Masonic Lodge #2000, South Plains Daylight Masonic Lodge#1443, Scottish Rite--Lubbock Valley, Khiva Shrine and Floydada Chapter #31 Order of the Eastern Star. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Emma Lodge #931, P.O. Box 822, Ralls, Texas 79357 or Good Shepherd Hospice, 3250 South National Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65807. The family wishes to thank Chub O'Reilly Cancer center of Springfield, Missouri and the very compassionate care given by his Oncologist, Dr Jessica Snider.