Stephen Acalee Cornish, 79, of Warsaw, Missouri, died Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at his home in Warsaw.
He was born June 3, 1945, in Trinidad, Colorado, the son of John Jay Cornish and Barbara Isabelle (Spencer) Cornish, and on March 30, 1966, he married the love of his life, Cheryl Patricia Duval in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. For the next 58 years the two of them shared the trials and tribulations of navigating through life’s journey. All of those who knew Steve would remember him as a loving spouse, devoted father, and a friend to all.
Shortly after the two wed, Steve began a career at Frontier Airlines that would eventually take the family to Grand Junction, Colorado. For the next 17 years his dedication to family was evident as he enjoyed coaching his sons’ baseball teams, took the family on vacation adventures, and explored the Colorado outdoors. During this period Steve continued a lifelong passion for music, singing in church choirs, barbershop quartet, and playing the guitar and banjo.
In 1987 the airline industry forced Steve and Cheri to return to Denver, where his passion for baseball shifted from coaching to umpiring, and he enjoyed many years of officiating at both the high school and college level.
His 21-year career in the airlines came to an end when he began an 18-year career with Sprint Corporation that would eventually take the pair to Overland Park, Kansas. They became members of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, where Steve enjoyed leading bible studies and enjoying another of his lifelong passions – fishing.
In retirement, Steve and Cheri moved to Warsaw, Missouri, where Steve regularly enjoyed bass fishing, and became a leading member of the Benton County, MO Bass Club. He was friendly and outgoing and always a helpful neighbor and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Cheryl, survivors include 2 sons, Bryan Cornish (Chris), Mead, CO., and Barry Cornish (Tracie), Parkville, MO.; 3 grandchildren, Stephan Cornish, Caleb Cornish, and Megan Cornish; 2 great-grandchildren, Ellie Cornish, and Atticus Cornish; a brother, Michael Cornish (Pattie), Montrose, CO.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Cornish, Warsaw, MO.; 2 brothers-in-law, Mike Duval (Brenda) and Scott Duval (Pam); and several nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Cornish.
A life celebration will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor, MO. The family suggests contributions to the organization of your choice specializing in dementia research. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com.
