Steven E. "Steve" Monesmith

Rock Island, WA

Steven E. "Steve" Monesmith, 62, a resident of Rock Island, WA for over 55 years, passed away at his home on Monday morning, August 15, 2011, following his battle with cancer. He was born on May 13, 1949, at Seattle, WA to Albert F. and Elaine T. (Hocking) Monesmith. He moved with his family as an infant to Rock Island and attended Rock Island Elementary School, Sterling Junior High and Eastmont High School. He served in the U.S. Army in the engineering department during Vietnam, in the area known as the Iron Triangle, where he was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroism in combat. Following his honorable discharge, he continued his education at South Seattle Community College, before returning to make his home in Rock Island. He worked at a variety of jobs in the Wenatchee Valley and studied Refrigeration at Wenatchee Valley College, prior to going to work for Stemilt Growers. He worked for Stemilt Growers as a Fork Lift Operator, before working in the Battery Maintenance Division. He was married to Lana A. Griffith on March 29, 2004, at Boulder City, NV. They have continued to make their home together in Rock Island. Steve was a former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a lifelong, avid fisherman and was well known for his loving patience, words of wisdom, the big smile on his face and always being the life of the party. He was a caring and devoted husband, father, son, grandfather, brother and uncle.

He is survived by his wife, Lana A. Monesmith of Rock Island; his daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and Thomas "Tom" Percy of Arlington, WA; one son, Jeremy Monesmith of Rock Island; his mother, Elaine Monesmith of Rock Island; two sisters and one brother-in-law, April Fox of East Wenatchee and Cynthia and Ron Moser of Rock Island; one brother, Larry Monesmith of Rock Island; and six grandchildren, Damon "Chico" Griffith of Rock Island, Amber Blackmore and Megan Percy, both of Arlington, WA, Lauren Percy of Edmonds, WA, Darrian Percy of Seattle and Jessica Kupczak of Lake Stevens, WA. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert "Al" Monesmith on September 10, 2001.

A Niche Wall Inurnment Service with Military Honors will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park on Saturday, August 20, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. A gathering to remember and honor Steve will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2011, in Rock Island. For more information, please visit his tribute online at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.