Stephen Edward Theby "Steve" Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church Tues., Oct. 7, 2025.
Beloved husband of Sue Theby (nee Mehegan); dear father and father-in-law of Rev. James Theby, Jennifer (Robert) Quinn, Laura (Colby) Cooman, and Jacob Theby; dear grandfather of Felix and Simon; dear brother of Michael (Maureen) Theby, Janet Theby, Lance Theby, Ronald (Leslie) Theby and Brian Theby; dear brother-in-law of Janet (the late Michael) Hartbeck, Mary (the late Michael) Donaldson and Nancy (Jerry) Schwer; our dear uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend.

Steve was a teller of tall tales - most of which were rooted in his real life. Growing up as the oldest child in a large, loud, loving Catholic family provided ample cannon fodder to get him started: Who actually won the most recent one-legged butt kicking contest? Who actually stabbed his brother Brian's hand with a fork because he ate too slowly at dinner? Was it a cantaloupe that broke the window after his mother Joan threw it at Steve because his violin playing was so terrible…or was it a watermelon? Or was it a grapefruit? Familial affection and cross-country adventure followed Steve into adulthood. He completed two Bachelor's degrees (one in Science, the other in Business Administration) and a Master's degree in Science, then solo hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Steve married Sue and together they created a family that values faith, creativity, and determined work ethic. Steve inherited his father Ed's Mr. Fix-It skills and sense of can-do, refusing to hire someone to do anything he could figure out how to do himself, and he coupled that with his generosity in time, refusing to let anyone he loved pay someone to do something he could do for them. He had a great love of music, encouraging his daughters Jen and Laura to pursue their skill, and was a visionary intellectual when it came to computer science, a trait he passed to his youngest son Jacob. Steve was also frugal, appropriately earning eyerolls from his wife Sue when he wore holes through his shoes and still refused to throw them out. He claimed they were "air conditioned." Steve was a man of deep faith, with a devotion to the Blessed Mother and to Christ in Eucharistic Adoration. The life of faith cultivated in his family made fertile ground for his oldest son Jim's vocation to the priesthood and for his own particular way of praying the rosary. Several years ago, Steve told his family he believed Mary wanted him to pray a new set of mysteries of the rosary - the Miraculous Mysteries - which his family has taken up. Steve will be remembered for all of his accomplishments, but those who knew him best recognized that he was most at home, most free, generous, and joyful while playing (usually loudly) with his grandchildren Simon and Felix. He will be deeply and sorely missed. And that is no tall tale.

Funeral Mass, Mon., Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. at Incarnate Word Church, 13416 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017. With visitation one hour prior to Mass.
Interment Our Lady Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, 5200 Glennon Dr, St. Louis, MO 63119 appreciated.