Steve W. Lectka

Steve Lectka, age 75, went to be with his Lord and Maker on Monday, August 3, 2015. Steve was born June 13, 1940 in Reed City, MI and was raised in the village of Dighton by his loving grandmother, Iva Tobey and mother, Dorothy June Tobey Lectka, of whom he often stated, due to their considerable sacrifices, he owed everything. Bill Davis was special to Steve as his mentor and father figure. Steve attended a one room school until moving to Grand Rapids, for high school, attending Godwin Heights High School, where he was known as Moose, and later GRJC, where he met the love of his life, Judith Kossen. They were married for 56 years. Steve served his country as a Military Policeman in the U.S. Army and as a decorated police officer for the Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety, obtaining a degree in Criminal Justice, along the way that he joked, “only took 31 years.” Throughout his life, he enjoyed athletics and was a very successful high school soccer coach. Surviving are his wife, Judith; children, Douglas, Jeffrey and Kristin; 8 grandchildren, Brianne, Sean, Kalis, Taylor, Eric, Tori, Timber, Kyla and 2 great-grandchildren, Reese and Mason, all of whom he was enormously proud, making it an absolute point to be at every significant event in their lives and offering his advice and counsel “regardless if they wanted it or not.” He loved family photos, Lake Michigan and road trips. Steve was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Military Police Association and American Legion. He loved his wife, his family and hopes their lives will be filled with as much happiness as his was. A memorial service will be held 11am Saturday-at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming. The family will receive relatives and friends Saturday 10-11am prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids Fire Department.