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Steven D. Koonter Obituary (1941 - 2025)

Born Jul 08, 1941, Steven D. Koonter attended Haslett High School in Haslett, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Steven D. Koonter.

Graduation Year Class of 1960
Date of Birth Jul 08, 1941
Date of Passing Sep 11, 2025
About died of leukemia,
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Fern Creek Funeral Home - Louisville on Sep. 14, 2025.
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Steven Delmer Koonter, or "Da," to his grandchildren, went home to be with the Lord and his wife, Janice, on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Steve was born on July 8, 1941, in Williamston, Michigan, to parents Erma and Delmer Koonter. First raised with his grandparents while his father served in the European Theater of WWII, upon his dad's return the family settled in Haslett, Michigan, along with his adopted brother Ronnie. Steve kept himself busy throughout his teenage years, playing in his high school band, starring on the football team, and developing an early love for cars, winning trophies on the Central Michigan Dragway racing strip with his 1955 Chevrolet.
After graduating from Haslett High School in 1960, he followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the United States Army. From March 1961 through early 1963 he served with the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division along the de-militarized zone in Korea as a BAR gunner, mortarman, and cook. His experience was highlighted by the Cuban Missile Crisis, in which he sat for two weeks in fighting positions along the DMZ while North Korean troops lined up along the opposite side in case things went hot.
Returning from Korea, he re-enlisted and was assigned to military police and logistic duties at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he met his lifelong love, Janice. They married in 1963 and soon after had their first daughter, Lynette, a year later. In 1966 Steve left the service as a sergeant. His second daughter, Sonya, was born in 1967 and the family settled in Louisville.
After receiving his military discharge, Steve began a long career at General Electric as one of their earliest computer programmers and instructors. He received his four-year degree from McKendree University in the 1990s and retired from General Electric in 2001. Both Steve and Janice were long involved as volunteers for their church homes, Evangel Tabernacle Church and Southeast Christian Church, where Steve participated in numerous mission trips, ministry activities, computer teaching, and other work.
Throughout his life Steve enjoyed a passion for classic cars which only grew throughout his retirement years as a member, judge, and officer in the Kentuckiana chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). Among his many cars was his pride and joy, a black 1957 Chevrolet coupe, which received both First Place and the Senior Grand National Award from the AACA at its 2010 meet in Louisville.
He was predeceased by his wife Janice, in July 2025. He is survived by his daughters Lynette Drury (Jeff) and Sonya Sparks (Andy); brother, Ronnie Koonter (Judy); grandsons Alex and Zach Drury; brother-in-law, Ray Phipps; sister-in-law Paula Covault; and many other nieces and nephews.
His funeral is 10am Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road with private burial. Visitation is 3-7pm Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Southeast Christian Church Chapel in the Woods.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the [Sympathy Store](https://sympathy.legacy.com/.../funera.../productdetails/...).
Steven D. Koonter