Steven Michaluk

Steven Michael Michaluk died peacefully at home with Bridge Hospice on October 27, 2021. He was born on March 26, 1946 in Hamilton, Ohio. He was the only child of Alice Roland and Michael Michaluk. He is preceded in death by his parents and faithful dog, Sherlock. He is survived by his wife, Becky, stepchildren: Philip Morris and Hannah (Morris) and Bradly Mangold, his dog, Jordan and cat, Watson and his grand puppies Maya, Ollie and Bella. Steven adopted a Helen Keller quote as his life’s motto: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Steven’s parents divorced when he was five years old and he lived with his mother in Hamilton, Ohio without the benefit of contact with his father or paternal extended family. He survived a difficult childhood and is grateful to the families who provided shelter for him when needed: the Powers, Simmons and Knotts. He graduated from Taft High School in 1965. He was drafted in 1966 during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in the USAF and served 3 years in Germany. When he returned to the USA he moved to Indianapolis, attended IUPUI and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology in 1974. He moved to Sumter, SC to work as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor where he earned the nickname “Yankee, do gooder, hippy vista worker.” Steven enrolled in the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1979 with a Masters of Education in Counseling. Steven was married to Bobbie Syfrett on December 27, 1970. Although they did not have any children they served as house parents in a group home for developmentally disabled children. They were divorced November 7, 1974. He married Becky Morris on May 17, 2003 at Hueston Woods State Park. He became a devoted stepfather to Philip Morris and Hannah Morris Mangold. During the course of Steven’s career he worked in vocational rehabilitation in Indiana, South Carolina and retired from RSC in Ohio in 2009. While in South Carolina he worked with the Youth Conservation Corp. In Indianapolis, he opened Career Search Associates in 1985 and provided career and outplacement counseling to job seekers. He worked as a national trainer for JIST Works, Inc. and traveled across the USA for career development workshops. Steven held memberships in the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association and the National Association for Job Search Training. Steven was a gymnast in high school. He was able to practice gymnastics while in the USAF with a local club in Darmstadt, Germany. When he returned to the USA he coached gymnastics in various community settings. He enjoyed participating in Community Theater. He often shared his adventures of hitchhiking through Europe when he discharged from the service then to South Carolina and Florida when he returned to the US. Steven was a sometime philosopher and had some of his most enlightened thoughts while hiking along water or in the woods. He served as a life guard in Hamilton Ohio, Darmstadt Germany and at Myrtle Beach SC at the Ocean Lakes Family Campground. He enjoyed cycling in summer and skiing in the winter. He spent spring, summer and fall in the yard gardening. Later in life he acquired a sailboat and learned to sail at the Jolly Roger sailing club. He took golf lessons and enjoyed playing golf with friends occasionally. Steven held memberships in the Toledo Museum of Art, National Museum of the Great Lakes and the Toledo Lighthouse Preservation Society Throughout the course of his life, Steven developed many close friends. He was grateful to his gymnastic coach, Don Powers and two of his professors, Bernie Morris and Ed Byrne who were mentors to him. His friends were his extended family and he enjoyed maintaining contact through visits and phone calls. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. A celebration of Steven’s life will be held at Sonlight Church and Community Center at 19920 Sand Ridge Rd, Weston, OH 43569 on 11/13/2021 at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial donation to the charity of your choice. Per his wishes his ashes will be scattered at a later time.