Stephen Warner

Stephen “Porky” Warner was a thoughtful, caring and devoted family man, who cherished every moment he was able to spend with his wife, children and grandchildren. Steve was a man always on the go and the happiest when he could spend a day fishing on his boat. He had an incredible sense of humor that kept everyone in stitches, but it was his kind heart that no one will ever forget.

1944 was a historically important year for people in the U.S. and abroad. As Franklin D. Roosevelt started his second term as President, the Battle of the Bulge began as Germans penetrated the Allied front in Belgium. While the war continued to be waged overseas, for Harold and Bertine (Teft) Warner of Plainwell, Michigan, life was much simpler. On November 9, 1944, the couple welcomed their second child, son Stephen, into their hearts and home that already included their oldest son, Darl.

Growing up, Steve was a typical boy who loved to spend much of his leisure time outdoors. His family had a trailer in Baldwin, where he first learned to fish and hunt, and later on, they bought a cabin on Big Lake, where even more great memories were created. Somehow, during this time, Steve earned the nickname “Porky”, which stuck with him throughout his life.

Once in school, Steve put his abundant energy into playing all kinds of school sports, including football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Plainwell High School in 1963, after which he went to work full-time in his family’s cement block manufacturing company, a place he was quite familiar with since he started helping out there as a young boy. Additionally, Steve also held a second job at Plainwell Lanes for a awhile before going to work for his brother. Later, he took a job at Parker Hannifin. He then worked at Flame Spray until about 3 years ago when he hurt his back.

It was during this time that Steve married his first wife, Joyce Zwart, and they had two wonderful children together: Jason and Stephanie. Unfortunately, their marriage eventually ended, but Steve found love again with Judy Wilson, who were introduced by mutual friends. They were happily married on December 1, 1979, and enjoyed many good and happy years together. Steve couldn’t have been prouder though when his four precious grandchildren came into the world, and he has a picture with each one of them on the day they were born. He loved them all dearly and made sure they knew it too!

Steve wasn’t one to be idle and liked to keep active in many activities. At one time, he was a high school baseball umpire and basketball referee, and was an avid golfer and bowler. A real card shark, Steve looked forward to playing poker every Thursday with his son and various friends. In the meantime, he honed up on his skills playing card games on the computer. He and Judy also liked to visit the casinos on their travels north to visit her family. Above all, Steve was happiest when he was out on Lake Michigan, fishing with his buddy, Frank, in their co-owned boat named the “Hustler. The two have been fishing partners for over 40 years, and being on the Hustler was Steve’s favorite place in the world. And naturally, his favorite food was nothing other than the fish he caught.

After his wife Judy retired, Steve began to slow down and they enjoyed more time at home. Here, he spent time on the computer, sending jokes and e-mails to his buddies, perhaps while listening to some country music, which he liked. Steve was known for his great sense of humor, which never failed to make others laugh. One of his favorite jokes was the “pull my finger” gag, something his grandchildren will undoubtedly carry on in his memory.

A man who enjoyed all that life had to offer, Steve will be greatly missed.

Stephen “Porky” Warner, age 63 of Plainwell, MI, died on Thursday July 17, 2008, at his home. Learn more about Steve, visit with his family and friends and view his life story film on Sunday, July 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell, where services will be held on Monday, July 21, at 11 a.m. Members of Steve’s family include his wife, Judy; children: Jason (Amy) Warner and Stephanie (Jeff) Watkins; and four grandchildren: Alexandra, Harold, Ethan and Brody. He was preceded in death by his brother, Darl, in 2000. Please visit Porky’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Plainwell EMS or Flint River Valley Steelheaders.