Steven James Nicholas

There are some people who come into our lives and we are forever changed. For those who had the privilege of knowing Steven Nicholas, he was a man of integrity and honor. Dedicated in all he did, Steven would drop everything to help a friend in need. Larger than life, he could light up a room with his ever-present smile and wonderful charisma which naturally drew others to his side. Most importantly, Steven counted his wife and children as his greatest blessing and he loved them more than anything. Steve gave his all and then some, and for these things and so much more, he will be deeply missed.

With much financial uncertainty, the decade of the 1980s witnessed more than 70 banking institutions fail across the U.S. Deep in the throes of a recession, the economy was suffering in ways never before seen since the Great Depression. Even so, the decade also signaled the age of video gaming and the advent of rollerblades. In 1984 in particular, Prince and Madonna were at the height of fame while the first commercial CD music players began being sold. Amidst these changing times, there was only one thing on the hearts of Glen and Suzanne Nicholas and that was the August 2, 1984 birth of their little boy, Steven James Nicholas in Garden City, Michigan.

Young Steven grew up alongside his siblings, Frank and Suzanne in Taylor, Michigan where his family made their home. A good and happy boy, Steven was surrounded by the love of family. Holidays and other special days were enjoyed with extended family, and his siblings and cousins were counted as some of his closest playmates. One time as a toddler when it was Steven’s turn to sit on Santa’s lap he exclaimed, “You’re my dad!” His father happened to be playing the part of Santa that year, and to his mother’s dismay, she quickly scurried Steven away before other kids heard him! Steven shared numerous boyhood adventures with his many friends and like all young boys, he liked playing video games and loved sports.

Having attended the area schools, Steven played football for the Kennedy High School Eagles for four years and he also ran varsity track before graduating in 2002. In 2003 Steven began serving in the Security Force and Ranger unit with the U.S. Air Force stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, home of the 354th Fighter Wing in Alaska. For nine months of his military career from 2004 to 2005, Steven served in Iraq in the Middle East. After receiving his honorable discharge from the service in 2007, Steven went on to further his education at Central Michigan University where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Throughout this time, there was one thing that remained on Steven’s heart and mind and her name was Dana Meharry, his high school sweetheart. Never far from his thoughts, Steven and Dana were the best of companions and they shared many of the same interests. After dating for some time, the two were joined in marriage May 16, 2009 before a congregation of family and friends. Prior to settling in as husband and wife, they took in a memorable honeymoon to Jamaica.

Steven was an incredible husband and just as amazing father. His heart was complete when he and Dana began a family of their own, and he counted the births of his children, Makayla and Wyatt as the best days of his life. He loved his children more than anything. Quite athletic, he enjoyed working out and going for bike rides and runs with his family. He especially loved taking the kids to the park and to church. Steven worked at the Ford Motor Company as a final assembly supervisor. He worked hard to support his family and did everything he could to make a good life for them.

A few special vacations Steven enjoyed included a trip to Grand Haven with his family and his sister’s family for his 30th birthday. He relished many trips up north, and time spent at his family’s beach house rental at Myrtle Beach always made for great times. But it never mattered what Steven was doing, he made the most of every situation. Larger than life, his positive nature and fun-loving spirit was welcomed by all.

In his free time, Steven loved to golf, but he was really terrible at it! He loved Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, Red Wings, and the Tigers. Along with his dad and brother, great times were shared riding their motorcycles together. Steve had many favorites, but the Guinness Book of World Records was his book of choice. When it came to movies, he liked Wedding Crashers and Scarface. On TV he loved watching The Blacklist and How to Get Away with Murder.

Above all, family was the very heart of Steven Nicholas. He lived with conviction for the things he believed in, and he loved “living the dream.” Steven believed in laughing often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people, and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, and to find the best in others. Steven felt that everyone should leave the world a little bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. And to sum up his favorite quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Although taken much too soon from love’s embrace, the legacy Steven leaves behind will continue to be kept close in the hearts of those who knew and loved him best.

Steven James Nicholas passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Loving husband of Dana. Dearest father of Makayla and Wyatt. Cherished son of Suzanne and Glen. Dear brother to Frank (Sarah) and Suzanne Shingler (Jeff). Devoted son-in-law of Dawn and Steve Meharry and brother-in-law to Kevin and Ryan Meharry (Ashley). Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 19 from 1-9 pm with a funeral service Wednesday, April 20, 11:00 am Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile (Between Middlebelt and Merriman). To share a favorite memory and/or photo of Steven and to sign his online guestbook, please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com.