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The Rev. Steven Ray Schmaljohn
March 3, 1955 – February 8, 2019 |
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| The Rev. Steven Ray Schmaljohn, 63, earned his heavenly reward on Friday, February 8, 2019. His prayer was that God take him peacefully in his own home, and God heard the prayers of his beloved servant. His body no longer suffers from Parkinson's disease, and without a doubt he is finally home and worshipping with Jesus.Steve was born March 3, 1955, in Anamosa, to Larry Schmaljohn and Barbara (Butterfield) Early. On August 24, 1974 Steven was united in marriage to Debra Caspers. He graduated from Anamosa High School in 1973 and attended Kirkwood Community College, majoring in engineering. He was a senior avionics engineer at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids for thirty-two years and retired in 2010.In 1980 Steve surrendered his life to God, and with his wife, helped in the ministry at the Apostolic Assembly of Anamosa for sixteen years, alongside so many friends who are cherished to this day.In 1996, Steve and his wife felt God directing them to start a church in Tipton. Together with their children, they pastored for twenty years. In 2004 they built a beautiful sanctuary where Hope Church of Tipton thrives to this day. The Schmaljohn family has been blessed to spend the last 20 years surrounded by the love and constant support of their church family.Steve's many ministerial accomplishments include his ordination with the United Pentecostal Church in 1998, serving as Iowa District UPC Home Missions Director for many years, as well as being honored with a lifetime achievement award for his ministry in the district of Iowa. In addition to pastoring his church in Tipton, he contributed greatly to other churches in the organization through his expertise setting up sound equipment, as well as pastoring a church in Muscatine for two years.Many will remember Steve for his love of music and his talents on multiple instruments. He began playing bass as a teenager, performing in many local bands through his early adult years. After coming to Christ, he used his talents for the Lord. He passed his skill and love of music to his family, who played and sang alongside him in concerts and at church through the years. The highlight of his musical career was performing before a crowd of 25,000 for the UPCI General Conference in Louisville, Ky. He was also proud to be a musician on several recorded albums. He served as a platform musician for many camps, conferences, and state events, as well as faithfully in every service for his own church. He spent the last years of his life recording his many written songs for his YouTube channel and for the enjoyment of his friends and family.Steve has been "Brother Schmaljohn,” "Pastor” and "Bishop" to so many saints and friends across the globe that it is hard to find the words to convey what a great man, friend, and mentor he was. He lived his life striving to follow after the heart of Jesus, a humble and sacrificial servant until the very end. His love for people knew no bounds, and his gentle, forgiving and compassionate spirit will never be forgotten. His greatest desire in life was to see all family and friends filled with the Holy Ghost and come to love Jesus as he did. There was no doubt in his mind-or the minds of anyone who knew him-that Heaven would one day be his home.Steve is survived by his childhood sweetheart and one true love, Debbie. Their greatest joys in life are their three children and six grandchildren: Rachel Dix and her children Kara, Reagan, and Remington of Tipton, Jill Kennedy and her husband Nathaniel (whom he cherished as a son), and their children Drew, Miles, and Noelle, also of Tipton, and Tim Schmaljohn and his love, Ellen Black, of Iowa City. This family was blessed to have the greatest husband and father.Also surviving are his father, Larry (Doris) Schmaljohn, of Jacksonville, Illinois; and three sisters, Paula (Dave) Meyer of Morley, Tammy (Matt) Johnson of Jacksonville, Illinois, and Shari (Jeff) Tankersley, also of Jacksonville, Illinois. He is also survived by countless extended family and too many friends to list.He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Barbara Butterfield Early; his sister, Marsha Schmaljohn; his brother, Mike Schmaljohn; and grandparents.Visitation will be held on Friday, February 15, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hope Church of Tipton in Tipton. There will be a visitation on Saturday, February 16, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Apostolic Assembly of Anamosa, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Steve will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Anamosa. Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa has taken Steven and his family into their care."Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
Submitted by: Janet A. Brandt
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