Stephen A. Scuka, 75, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born November 4, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Dr. Clayton and Helen (Lockwood) Scuka. Steve entered the gates of heaven, Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
Steve grew up in Wichita and graduated from North High in 1961. He honorably served his country as a Navy Corpsman, assigned to the 3rd Marines in Vietnam. He returned home and completed his BA at Newman University in 1976 on the GI Bill. Steve worked in retail management at Sheplers and J.C. Penney; as a Laboratory Technician at Wichita area hospitals, and later Racon Chemical. Steve’s last employment was with the Kansas Department of Corrections from where he retired following an on the job injury.
Steve was a Christian and always wanted to serve his fellow man. In Vietnam, he not only cared for America’s wounded soldiers, but volunteered and assisted the Vietnamese people at the Catholic orphanages and medical clinics. In later years, Steve enjoyed and volunteered on church mission trips to Mexico and at the Lord’s Diner in Wichita until his health would no longer permit.
Steve and Diana loved Music Theater, movies, antiquing, researching genealogy, travelling and their couple’s bunco group. Steve encouraged Diana to travel, and they visited Germany, Italy, Jerusalem, the Caribbean Islands, the Mayan ruins and both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico, as well as much of the United States.
Steve married Susan Frazier on December 9, 1972, and they had two daughters. Steve married Diana Ring on November 17, 1990.
Steve is survived by his wife Diana of Pleasant Hill; five daughters: Julie (and Chris) Scuka Kabriel of Des Moines, Iowa, Jennifer Scuka Bennett of Portland, Oregon, Tami (and Scott) Ring Jackson of Pleasant Hill, Shawna (and Pat) Ring Richardson of Mulvane, Kansas, and Kimberly Ring of Ellis, Kansas. Diana and Steve shared eight grandchildren: Kaela, Jacob, Malaree, Khianne, Ayden, Dylan, Sam and Lexi; and three greatgranddaughters: LaShay, Mattalyn, and Emma. Steve is also survived by a brother, Rod, and two sisters, Rebecca and Carolyn. He was preceded in death by his parents: Clayton and Helen, and two brothers, Randy and Tony.
A Memorial Mass was held Friday, October 11, 2019, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill. Full military honors were conducted by the United States Navy and the V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard.
The family received friends following the mass.
Private inurnment will be at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Augusta, Kansas at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bridget Catholic Church, or to the Scuka Scholarship Fund that Steve and Diana previously established at Newman University, Wichita, Kansas.
Online condolences www.stanley-dickeyfunerahome.com
Arrangements: Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St. Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080