Stephen F. Eastridge
June 11, 1948 - May 6, 2020
Stephen F. Eastridge, age 71, passed away at the Wilmington VA Medical Center on May 6, 2020, after a lengthy illness. Steve was born in Elkton, Maryland, and grew up in Minquadale, New Castle County, Delaware. He attended DeLaWarr High School, after which he joined the US Marines, serving from 1967 to 1970.
During his enlistment Steve fought bravely in some of the major battles of the Vietnam War, such as Con Thien and Khe Sanh. He was highly decorated for his efforts. Steve’s awards included the National Defense Medal, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnamese Service Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Citation.
After discharge from the Marines and an apprenticeship, Steve worked as a union boilermaker for Tank Service of Oklahoma for 10 years. Next, he was hired as a millwright for General Motors, where he spent 25 years before retiring in the mid-2000s.
In his prime, Steve was a consummate outdoorsman. He owned several boats over the years, which he lovingly restored. Steve spent many happy summer days fishing on the Delaware Bay with family and friends. He also enjoyed canoeing, kayaking, hunting, camping, target shooting, and scuba diving.
In the early 90s, Steve faced his biggest challenge when a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. But through the ensuing years, he lived life with a positive attitude and a smile for all. He will be truly missed.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Cheryl; beloved daughter, Jessica; sisters, Sharon (Harry Wilkinson), Cathy (Tommy Johnson), Bonnie Eastridge, Patty (Paul Houck), and Dorothy Eastridge; granddaughter, Olivia Hagen, whom he adored; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Matthew, and his parents Walter and Dorothy Eastridge.
The services and interment will be held privately due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A life celebration will be announced at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Steve’s name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
Sheila Fox Gordo
Cheryl, Jessica and Olivia, and sisters and family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Steve was a wonderful man and a one of a kind. May God wrap His loving arms around all of you and bring you comfort. Love, Sheila and Gary Gordon
Theresa Dilks
To Steve’s family, I’m truly so sorry..for the loss of your brother,May he rest in peace,,sending much of GOD’S BLESSINGS
Jane & Ray williams
Our heartfelt sympathy to CHERYL and the Eastridge siblings and Steve’s family. This is heartbreaking to here he lost his battle with life. He was a great friend with Ray and I growing up in Minquadale. Tears flowing knowing our friend has lost his life. Steve we will all be together again! Until then RIP. Very sad day seeing this obit.
Nancy Goldsmith Campana
So very sorry on the loss of your brother Sharon and Bonnie God bless you and keep you at this sad time
Allen Eastridge
May you Rest In Peace Cuz . We pray for your family and ask God to cover them with His love and peace.
Nancy Cornish
Cheryl, Please accept my deepest condolences for you loss. I will always cherish my childhood memories of adventures with my cousin Steve. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that love surrounds you.
Edith Blair
Cheryl, I’m so sorry to hear about Steve’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love Tom & Edie
virginia lance
Steve will truly be missed, blessed are the memories we all have. Remember with eternal life, Life never ends and Love never dies.
JOHN CLYMER
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. IN MY PRAYERS
Terry Igo
I’ll never forget our times fishing together on the river and totally enjoying watching Bubba annoy you. Good times
Arleen and Bill Harris
Dear Cheryl, Bill and I are very sorry to hear that Steve passed. His obituary tells us about a true hero and a good man. We know it will be hard for all of you and we will keep you all in our hearts and prayers. May he rest in peace now.
Wayne Wiggins
Steve was a good man. I work along side him as a Millwright at General Motors. Steve always had a smile on his face and full of laughter. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Chick Chinski
RIP my friend, I will cherish all the lunches we shared, Enjoy those ultralights with your son
Edmund Edwards
Steve was a truly great man,We had fun in the day fishing for salmon in NY. He certainly loved that hound dog he had after his accident. We’re truly sorry that we were not in touch with him after retirement, seems the stories we have are mostly from our youth. RIP Steven and condolences to Cheryl and family…… Memorial Day takes on a new meaning here………….
Lew and Diane Graham
Cheryl and Family,
We are very sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. We worked with him at GM and truly respected the man he was and the absolute effort he put in to everything he did. He never gave up. May God rest his soul. And may God give you peace. With deepest sympathy.
Jenny Reed
Rest in the arms of Jesus. You will be missed here on earth. Bur be assure, we will meet again in heaven.
robert kirby
Dear Cheryl, Jessie, Olivia, and Eastridge family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy upon the passing of Steve. Some people come into our lives, stay a while and move on. Others come and leave a foot print on our hearts. Steve was a hero to all, not only for serving his country, but for overcoming such diversity throughout his life. Even though we are separated by many miles, Steve has always been a fixture of our family and will truly be missed by all. May your hearts overflow with peace and happiness as you carry his memory as an everlasting legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Bobby & Linda
Brian Eastridge
I love you uncle Steve and aunt Cheryl. Thank you for always being my family.
Perla Ivey
To the family. My condolences are with you all. To the sisters I know the pain of losing a brother. My prayers are with you through your pain
Vincentia
Cheryl,
This is beautifully written and definitely brings tears. What a handsome and clearly good man. We are so very sorry for your loss. Our condolences. Vinci and Paul
Pauline Hagen
May your many memories of Steve help to sustain you at this most difficult time. Hagen Family .
Paul Hagen
I am sorry to see this man lose his battle but what a fight he put up. I don’t know many that would have the strength and determination to live their life facing the challenges related to his disability . I know his determination and caring demeanor left an indelible print on his granddaughter Olivia and I thank him for that. Vaya con dios and god bless those that are here to carry on.
Donald Smith
It was an honor and privilege to have known, and worked with you.
Rest In Peace.
Dennis Calvetti
I worked with Steve for many years in the paint shop. He was a great guy and was always laughing and smiling. He dealt the hand that God dealt him with courage and tenacity. He was an inspiration. My prayers to him and his family. RIP Steve.
Barb Ruggiero
Dear Cheryl, My sincere condolences to you and Steve’s family. I had the privilege of working with Steve the last several years and GM. He was a great guy, always smiling, and loved a good joke or prank! He truly inspired me by not letting anything get in his way. May you have comfort in knowing that you will meet again.
RIP my friend, Barb Ruggiero.
Terry Shaffer-Gommer
I am so sorry to have heard of Stephen’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the Eastridge Family. Especially Sharon, Bonnie and Cathy. I pray for healing for you all. Sincerely, Terry Shaffer-Gommer
Robin Ramirez
Cheryl, Jesse, Olivia and family, We were so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing; may he Rest In Peace. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dolores, Robin and Ray
Vicki and Tim
Cheryl and Olivia,
We want to express our sincere sympathy in the passing of your
husband and Pop Pop. Our prayer is that you will remember the sweet memories of him and SMILE!
John R. Stanley
Mrs. Eastridge and Family, Knew of Steve from old times at Minquadale thru to cousin Duke Black mentioning him occasionally. Very proud of his service in the USMC, a true young hero and still one in his passing. My brother Joe knew Steve as a friend in the school days remembered and send his condolences and regards too. Salute!
Dana Coffill
Dear Cheryl and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. I did not really know him but it seems he had a very full life and he loved his family. All my love, Dana
Trish Halter Smith
My husband Dave Smith and I have visited Steve and Family in the past and they us. Many years have past since then and Dave left this world in 2013. Much respect for Steve, he was one of the good guys.
sheila townsend
I met Steve at my sweet 16 birthday party on briarcliff drive. He was cute & wild & funny, I liked him right away. We dated briefly then & when he came back from VIetnam….I r his infectious laughter the most, I can hear It still, and how much he loved the song SItting on the dock of the bay. ( Otis Redding). His Mon & sisters were very important to me while he and I shared letters everyday while he was in the war, very sweet people, like sisters to me. His very kind Mom took loving care of my 3 year old Kimberly when I got a part time job at the olde new castle 5 & 10. I remember the day he came back from the war…he walked to my house on briarcliff drive to see me. We were very happy that day. I always loved him, tho our lives went their separate ways…..love is forever. My deepest sympathy for his sisters and his wife and daughter. Steve was a sweet soul, a loving man and will be missed in this world.
William
Rest In Peace my brother you stood guard for a long time. May the merciful God Hold you close in His Arms Psalm 23. We will all meet in heaven some day. We were brothers in arms and we also were class mates. We will have a big reunion in heaven. Prayers go out to the family that The Lord give them Peace at this time of mourning. 1/16 1ID 68-69 Vietnam.