Obituary of Stephen Wasner

Stephen E. Wasner, born November 20, 1960, died on December 29, 2015, after a valiant battle with neuroendocrine islet cell pancreatic cancer that began October 4, 2001. Stephen faced this fight head on with his characteristic determination and sense of humor, the assistance of his medical team led by Dr. Mark Zalupski at the University of Michigan Oncology Center and the support of his extended family and countless friends. Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Deana Wasner; sons: Christopher Wasner and Thomas (Hope) Wasner; daughter: Carolyn Wasner; stepchildren: Tabitha, Stephen, Andrew and Jordan Mehki; grandchildren: Luke and Cade Wasner, Hailey and Madilyn Wasner, Kayleen Gekle and Josephine and Emmett Mehki. He is also survived by his sister: Suzanne Wasner from Franklin, Tennessee; three half-brothers: Harold (Alinda) Wasner of Beverly Hills, Michigan, Hans (Mary) Wasner of Richland Hills, Texas and Jim Wasner of Chicago, Illinois; a half-sister: Helga (Robert) Wetzel of Merced, California; and numerous extended family members and friends. From the time he was a child, Stephen knew he wanted to drive a big rig as his career. That dream came true when he started as a driver at Overnite Transportation, later moving to Hyman Freightways, where he joined the Teamsters Local 299. After ten years with Hyman Freightways, he landed a job with USF Holland, where he met many people who remained his friends until his passing. He was forced to retire from USF Holland in 2008 due to his advancing disease. However, both of his sons, Christopher and Thomas, have continued in the tradition he started by choosing careers in the transportation and logistics industry. Friends and family remember Stephen for his offbeat sense of humor and talent for storytelling, engaging listeners with comical impressions of the speech habits and mannerisms of his subjects. He spent his free time fishing, traveling around Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula and caring for the home he shared with his wife Deana. He and Deana are the proud grandparents of several grandchildren, frequently hosting them for overnights and craft sessions. Family and friends may gather from 2:00 until 8:00pm on Friday, January 1, 2015 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. He will lie in state from 10:00am until a Celebration of His Life at 11:00am on Saturday, January 2, 2015 at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Roy Southerland officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary donations to help offset the costs of Stephen's funeral. A PayPal account has been established for this purpose: stephensfund55@gmail.com. Online condolences at www.merklefs.com online tributes page.