Joe "Papa Joe" Stepping Obituary (1940 - 2009)

Joe "Papa Joe" Stepping, 68, of Pana died Saturday, May 23, 2009 in Memorial Medical Center, Springfield. He was born November 12, 1940 in Pana, the son of Carl Margaret Stauder Stepping. Joe lived his entire life in Pana and served in the U. S. Army in the 101st 82nd Airborne. He was a member of Pana Elks Lodge for 42 years. He served as Exalted Ruler of the Pana Lodge in 1985 1986; was District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the East Central District in 1991 1992; served the Illinois Elks Association as Housing Chairman for conventions and served as a special representative for the Grand Exalted Ruler for three years. Joe married Naomi R. "Tack" Tackett on August 17, 1963 in Pana. Papa Joe is survived by his children: Joseph Carl Stepping wife Carol, Stonington, IL; Jonathan Laura Stepping, San Francisco, CA; Julie Wafford husband Gary, Pana, IL; and Jill Miller husband Derek, O'Fallon, MO; six grandchildren: Jake Adcock; Adam Stepping; Bailey, Will, Chloe and Nolan Miller; and by his brother: James Stepping wife Marilyn "Mitzi", Pana, IL. He was preceded by his parents and his wife on February 8, 2002. "Dad was a man of great pride and integrity. He taught us how to become strong and responsible adults. Those who knew him were familiar with his unique way of getting his point across. He was an honest and direct man with a heart of gold. He gave whatever he could to help all of us in any way. We had the best of both worlds-our mother teaching us to be compassionate and our father teaching us to be honest with ourselves. He didn't mind the mistakes we made as long as we learned from them. He loved his grandchildren with all his heart. He left us all with great stories to remember Papa Joe. Rest well Pop and give them hell." Funeral Information Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Elks service will be Wednesday, May 27, 2009 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 12 noon. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Pana with Rev. William F. Kessler officiating. Graveside military rites by VFW/American Legion/AmVets Honor Guard, Pana.