Steven Jacob Hard, 69, of Burlington Township, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023 at Select Specialty Hospital in Battle Creek.
In keeping with Steve’s wishes, he has been cremated. No public services will be held.
The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation of Union City.
Steve was born March 10, 1954 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Robert and Jacqueline (Spear) Hard. He attended Union City Community Schools, graduating with the Class of 1973. On October 27, 1990 he married the former June King. Together, they raised six children.
Steve was very firm, structured and disciplined with the kids when they were growing up, but was a pushover with the grandkids. There was always lots of comedy in the family and on the farm.
Although Steve and June always bantered and fought over card games, they came together when it counted. Steve was somehow able to make things happen for the family, even with limited resources. He often went without things personally so they could have what they needed. He was always concerned about his family members and never missed a chance to tell them he loved them.
Steve loved dairy farming with his Holsteins and raising Angus cattle in addition to working as a welder at Griswold’s in Union City. He enjoyed hanging out at the stockyard auctions on Wednesdays, hunting coon, deer, turkey, rabbits and squirrels. He liked the simple things in life and took life as it came.
Left to carry on Steve’s traditions of hard work, laughter and love of family are his children, Hollie Gibralter of Fate, TX, Stacy (Geno Burk) Kassim of Marshall, Steven G. Hard of Union City, David (Christy) Banks of Fulton, Jennifer (David Freeman) Watson of Union City and Kevin (Staci) Hard of Burlington; grandchildren, Mathew Banks, Brandon Hard, Tristan Banks, Ryan Hard, Anna Gibralter, Joshua Watson, Adam Kassim, Alissa Gibralter, Emma Kassim, Brock Watson, Easton Hard and Brynley Hard; great-grandchildren Mathew, Savannah, Tammy and Estella; a brother, Bob (Shelly) Hard of Burlington; friends who were like his brothers, Darrell Wieas and Vic Blanton; and his Aunt Donna Dunsmore of Florida.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, June; and a brother, Jim Hard.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Union City Food Pantry, in care of Our Savior Lutheran Church, 405 St. Joseph Street, Union City, MI 49094.
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