Celebration of life planned for Sept. 12
Stephen P. Schoemehl, former IBEW Local 1 business manager, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2021, after a short, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 70. His life, lived to the fullest, ended with his high-spirited and loving family at his side.
Brother Schoemehl, of St. Louis, served as Local 1’s business manager from 2001-2011. A celebration of life service is planned for Sept. 12. The event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at Silo Point at Brookdale Farms at 7916 Twin River Road in Eureka. Guests are asked to wear tie-dyed attire in honor of him.
Brother Schoemehl enjoyed serving and advocating for others. Serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he was deployed to Korea as a medic in a MASH unit. After returning stateside in 1972, electrified by his family’s long tradition in the IBEW, Steve was initiated into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1’s apprenticeship program, and became an exemplary journeyman electrician.
After proudly signing his work with his name, phone number and “any problems, call” for years, he transitioned to serving fellow IBEW members with passion, starting in the late 1990s as an IBEW Local 1 organizer and business agent, and later, as recording secretary.
Brother Schoemehl was elected business manager in 2001 and served until retiring in 2011. From 2005 to 2011, he was the 5th District Representative for the IBEW International Executive Council. Steve cared deeply for thousands of IBEW members and their families while working to ensure long-term union competitiveness through their skills, work ethic and productivity.
SERVED WITH DISTINCTION
He served with distinction on many boards, including the Joint Labor-Management Committee, the United Way Board of Directors, the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council Executive Board and the PRIDE of St. Louis Executive Board. His service to others was honored with the St. Louis Port Council Man of the Year Award in 2004, the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council Labor Man of the Year Award in 2006 and the Andy Owens Community Service Award in 2008. By proclamation of Mayor Francis Slay, Jan. 26, 2006 was declared Stephen P. Schoemehl Day in St. Louis.
Steve was preceded in death by Big Fred, his stern, but loving father, and his sweet mother, Virginia. He leaves behind many loved ones: his adoring wife, Cynthia (Hatala), whom he loved madly, and his children, Jessica and Nathan (Terra), whom he cherished. He was the proudest Paw Paw to his grandchildren who admired him ever so much: Olivia, Ethan, Conner and Bryce. Steve was a wonderful brother to Sue (Jim) Stewart, Chris (Sue), and Timothy (Mary), and brother-in-law to Diane (Chris) Smith, Karen (Bob) Barden, and Ed (Sheila) Hatala. Numerous nieces and nephews were grateful to call him Uncle Steve and an abundance of friends treasured him.
A FULL, TRIUMPHANT LIFE
Steve’s extraordinary energy powered a very full, triumphant life. He always found time to be with his family, often joined by friends – the more, the merrier. He relaxed by fishing and high-speed boating on Norfolk Lake. He was often joined by his children, brothers, grandkids and friends, happily teaching the methods he had honed. Nothing was worth doing if it wasn’t done well.
Most of all, Stephen P. Schoemehl was our beloved husband, father, Paw Paw, brother, uncle and friend. His death creates a canyon size hole in our hearts and lives. Our fondest hope is what Steve said himself, “See you on the flip side.”
A private burial will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Lung Association.
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Steve Schoemehl was my ex father in law. Steve was probably the most influential person in my life at one time. Steve and his wife Cindy went out of their way to make sure that myself, his daughter (Jessica) and our daughter (Olivia) were always taken care. They helped me get my life back in order. I had an addiction to the meds I had gotten for a back injury. Both Steve and Cindy stood by me all of the way through my rehab. Steve was always true to his word. He was not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. He was passionate about everything that was important to him. Family and the IBEW were the most important factors in his life. We had our issues. But he was right 100% of the time. Someone like Steve was hard to lose. Because of history of always looking out for the people he cared most about. Steve was what some people call “True Blue.” Meaning that he was never going to BS you. If u did not like what he had to say. It’s probably because it was true. I appreciated Steve more than he could fathom. And without him I would probably not be alive today. We lost one of the best men I knew. Steve thank u for being the man that you were.