"Went to memorial cemetery to visit today Memorial Day 2023, inspired by a sermon about the sacrifice those who preceded us made in the service (for our earthly/spiritual liberties) including Our Lord Jesus. Wanted to pay homage to our pastor who passed in 2020 , sister Raquel; a minister who like our young man here fought the good fight. Such an honor for two ministers from two different generations were laid to rest beside each other. Very sobering. God bless Stephen's family. Your son's testimony still speaks from the quiet. Praise be to God! "
In loving memory of
Stephen J. Luth
August 6, 1989 - May 11, 2012
STEPHEN J. LUTH
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Stephen J. Luth, 22, a former resident of Muscatine, died on Friday, May 11, 2012, in Chanute, Kansas.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012, at Calvary Church. Reverend Al Perez and Reverend Steve Russell will officiate the service. Casket bearers will be James Luth, Joshua Luth, Jonathan Luth, Ryan Kral, Ben Kapella, and Brendon Kapella. Burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held following the committal service at Calvary Church.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Stephen Luth Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Stephen was born on August 6, 1989, in York, Pennsylvania, the son of David and Cyndi Youngblood Luth.
He graduated from Oral Roberts University on May 5, 2012. He was on the Cheer Team at the university and also served as Chaplin for his dorm floor. He was Captain of the Cross Country and Track Team at Muscatine High School, and was on both teams all four years. He was part of the Nexus Program at Calvary Church where he led a small group.
He had worked for Fareway in the Meat Department.
Those left to honor his memory include his parents, David and Cyndi Luth of Muscatine; three brothers, Joshua Luth and wife, Britney, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Jonathan Luth and wife, Jennifer, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and James Luth of Muscatine; his paternal grandmother, Mary Luth of Davenport; his maternal grandmother, June Halkens, of Mountain Home, Arkansas; his maternal grandfather, Fred Youngblood and wife, Martha, of Eagle Point, Oregon; several aunts and uncles and cousins; and a special friend, Tori Dollar.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John Luth.
Tributes
"So sorry for your loss. May God wrap his arms of comfort around you, and may you find strength and joy in knowing that Stephen is rejoicing with Jesus and hearing, "Well done, Thou good and faithful servant." "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Dave and Cindi- My prayers go out to you and your family. Such a tragic loss. I never knew your son but read wonderful things about him. He was such a strong Christian man. Lean on God during these times and now and in the future. I pray that God and those around you will give you strenth and peace. (one of the Luth family's farm neighbor) "
"Dave & Cyndi, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Stephen. My heart breaks for you and your family. I know you are rejoicing that he is in the arms of Jesus, but as a mother, I can only imagine the difficulty of letting go. My prayers are with you all."
"Mr. and Mrs. Luth, I didn't know your son, but I would like to extend my condolences. My wife and I are apart of the Teen Mania family and have been praying for you and your family since we heard. We are truly sorry for loss."
"As we reflect on Stephen's life, we remember the joy of May 5, 2012 and his graduation from Oral Roberts University. We remember a life filled with so much promise, and so much joy. We celebrated his graduation that day with you; and today, on the day of his funeral, we honor his memory, and his life. As Stephen and Austin stood together with such enthusiasm that day, Glenda and I commented to each other about how excited they were to begin a new chapter in their lives. We pray that God will bring you comfort in this time when your hearts are so heavy, and the loss is so real. We grieve with you and are so sad that their lives ended so soon. We are praying for you now, and in the future that God will be with you and help you. You raised a wonderful son who you can be so proud of. I can only imagine the joy which he is experiencing today, with all the saints in heaven. As a member of the Board of Trustees of Oral Roberts University, I am so thankful for young men like Stephen, and his Christ centered life. Stephen will never be forgotten. He touched so many. Dr. Glenda Payas Trustee, and Mr. Brad Payas "
"Dave and Cyndi, We are so sorry to read about Stephen's passing. There are no words to comfort, but praying God's love will sustain you through this sorrowful time. We do not grieve like those who have no hope. "
"Cyndi and Dave - Our hearts ache for the loss you are enduring, we can't even imagine. We are so sorry we can't be there with you at this time but please know that your entire family is in our prayers. May God hold you all close to Him, comfort you, and give you peace. Sending you a warm hug and lots of love."
"We had the great priveledge of having Stephen & Luke as residents at Pheasant Run the property we manage and place they called home. When you move in we don't consider you just a resident rather your family and Stephen was family. We teased Stephen as we would a brother. Alot of times all he could do was smile and shake his head at us. He was such a giving person. Infact the last time we had seen him he showed up at the office with two red bulls in hand because he knew they were our favorite. Every time we saw Stephen he was smiling, positive never negative and his spirit was infectious. We really wish we could be at the memorial service however our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Our prayers go out to the Luth family. We were with the Sheets in Calgary, Alberta, Canada when they received the news. We pray that the love of Christ surround your family during this very difficult journey. May the Lord Bless you with the peace that only He can give. "
"Dave, Cindi, Josh, Jonathon, James and family, My deepest sympathy go out to each of you. What an extraordinary passion for life and Christ that was a part of Stephen and is evident by the testimonies that are being shared. His life on earth may have been short - but his rewards are eternal. "
"I have been praying for your loss; that God might be even more present and real to all of you as you learn to do life without your son present. The promise of eternity in Heaven is indeed sweeter knowing we will be reunited with those we love. My church, Chapel of Praise, has been praying for you this past week as well."
"Cyndi and David I was fortunate to meet Stephen when he came into Central State Bank. He was such a fine young man. My deepest condolences go out to you and the rest of your family. My Mass on sunday at St. Mathias will be for you and the family and you are all in my prayers. God Bless all of you. Arleen H. Kennedy"
"I was blessed to meet your son one day when I was visiting my son at ORU. He was a handsome, respectful, Godly young man who stood out in my mind from the day I met him. I would ask about him often when our son came home to visit. Stephen was a brother chaplain and friend of our son Ethan, and it was obvious that Ethan thought the world of him. I am so very sorry for your loss, but know that your son had a great impact for Christ on all those knew him. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you today, and in the days to come. God Bless."
"Praying for your family during this difficult time. Stephen was a wonderful man and certainly always brought a smile to anyone's face. He will certainly never been forgotten by anyone who met him. He was called too soon, but God must have special plans for him! He did his work here on earth and blessed your lives for 22 years. Sending prayers. "
"After seeing the story in the news about the plane crash, and also hearing it announced on K-Love, I just felt the need to write a special love note to the family to let you know that Stephen is in the Lord's hands now. The times are coming closer to the Lord's return, and for whatever reason, he is calling home his children to be prepared for his next coming. I believe Stephen did what he was called to do while on this earth, and now, he will be with His Lord to be ready for that coming!! I pray you all will find blessing and reassurance in knowing Stephen's life will be a real testimony to the Love that the Lord can do in anybody's life!! May the Lord richly bless you and fill you with His joy and peace at this very difficult time. A Brother in Christ from NJ"
"Dear Stephen's family, I'm so sorry for your loss and am praying the Lord will be near to you during this time. Stephen was one of my brother Chaplains in Wesley dorm at ORU and I loved him. I always enjoyed his bright attitude, his love for God, as well as his love for others. On several occasions Stephen was an encouragement to me when I was struggling with Chaplining my floor. I loved how he always prayed to God as "Daddy". Great guy..I'm inspired to serve the Lord more 'cause of him."
"Stephen was a GREAT person. He had integrity and a character like no other, and it shined through on everything that he did. I only knew Stephen for a short time, but he was someone who touched the lives of everyone he knew. I continue to pray for his family and know that God has his hand on them. Stephen will be missed."
"We never met Stephen or his traveling companions, but we have been so deeply touched by their passion for Christ. May the precious Holy Spirit--our Comforter--be near to each of you in the difficult days ahead. Rev. Mike and Bev Moss First Assembly of God El Reno, OK "
"David & Cyndi, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you both and your sons. I know you are staying strong with your faith in God. He will substain you through the days and years ahead. I am a high school classmate of David's. I've recently moved back to this area after teaching school for 35 years in western Iowa. Take Care and May God Keep You In The Palm Of His Hand and Surround You With His Love."
"Cyndi and David Luth and Family, I hope that all the memories of Stepehn will help you in this time of sadness of his loss. My one memory is the year Grandma June drove and we went to the House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin . "
"Although I dont know your family I have been continually praying for you all but especially the mommas of these young men. I pray comfort, strength and grace to get through this trial. I continue to pray that God holds you in his arms like never before and that you would feel his love like never before. These young men were such a testimony of what it is to live a life of faith and this mom from Michigan is proud of what they acheived in their short time with us."
"David, Cyndi, and family, So sorry to hear of your loss, from what I've read, Stephen was a wonderful young man. "
"Dave, Cyndi, Josh, Jonathan, and James, Our hearts and prays our with your family. We will all be asking why but God as you know has a reason, but that doesn't seem to help much now. It is a comfort to know that thanks to your leading and Stephen's personal saving faith in Jesus we wil be able to be reunited. The waiting will be hard. Enjoy each day and each other. We are very thankful for having known Stephen, even for a while, he stills make me smile and we will miss him. If you need anything please let us know."
"Cyndi and family, Thinking of you at this time of sadness. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Annette Pickrel"
"Cyndi - my prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy. My God's grace and love surround you. "
"As noted in the newspaper article about his death, Stephen's life was a living testament to the joy of a life hid with Christ in God. May you find joy in knowing that he influenced many people and his legacy of faith will live on. May God give a great harvest of the seeds Stephen planted. Praying for your comfort now and in the days to come."
"Cyndi, Dave and family: This seems so unreal, and I can't begin to imagine the sorrow you are bearing at this time. I know you all have so many wonderful memories because of the wonderful person in Stephen. He was always so pleasant and joyful as he walked past my office last year when he worked at the bank. I enjoyed him telling me about how much he loved swing dancing. We all at CSB watched all of your boys grow into such handsome, caring, and wonderful men. I know your faith will help you through this very sad time. If I can ever do anything to help in any way, all you need do is ask. My thoughts and prayers to all of your family. "
"I have had the opportunity to work with Cyndi on a project with her bank and our company. Although I have not met Cyndi in person, I have truly enjoyed working with her. The FIS conversion team was truly sadden for her and her family loss of such a fine young man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and your strenght you have in God the Father and our savior Jesus Christ. Cyndi I am so sorry again for your loss. Donna Wilkerson - FIS"
"Cyndi and Dave; I am so grieved for your loss; words cannot express. I know your love and walk with the Lord; your spiritual integrity speaks for itself. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to talk with Stephen last year, when you visited the Mission. Know that I am sincerely in prayer for your family; only Jesus........"
"Cindi and Family and Grandma Mary, My deepest sympathy in your tragic loss. Hold tight to the good memories for comfort, lean on your friends. and know that God is surrounding you all in His loving and strong arms. "
"Our sincere sympathy goes out to the entire Luth family for your tragic loss. There are no words to ease the pain...but know there are many, many prayers for the strength and faith that will carry you past the pain to the wonderful memories you will always cherish. You have our deepest heartfelt care and concern. "
"I remember Stephen from Lutheran Homes as a bright and cheerful guy. Though I have not seen him since then, he will be missed and I will be thankful for the memories. My prayers go to the Luth Family."
"My thoughts and Prayer go out to the luth family. "