Steve’s Story

Site created on February 17, 2022

Thank you for visiting Steve’s CaringBridge. Please click the “Ways To Help” tab to see the various ways you can assist the family.  Donations can be made electronically through GoFundMe or Zelle (use Kristen’s phone number 440-487-6796). In addition, donations can be given directly to Kristen by personal check.
**IMPORTANT: If you choose to give via Zelle, please be sure to label your contribution as a "GIFT". This will keep your donation non-taxable for Kristen. 
***IMPORTANT: If you make a donation using the "TRIBUTE" tab please be aware that this contribution goes to the CaringBridge organization and does not benefit the Schiopota Family. If you'd like to help the family directly, please use this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-funeral-medical-college-expenses?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=caringbridge&utm_campaign=partners_cp
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Steve and Kristen have been married for 24 years and have three wonderful boys, Luke 20, Nathan 18, and Josh 16. God and family are everything to Steve, and he and Kristen have enjoyed all the activities and commitments that come along with family, church and community life.

Steve grew up in the Cleveland area with his parents as well as his brothers Jeff and David. His young adult years were marked by a pattern of drinking, parties and unhealthy relationships. But with the encouragement of his brother David, Steve came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 26. With this significant change in his life came new patterns: church life, healthy friendships and Christian community. Steve got involved in Parkside Church’s Singles Group, which was instrumental in his spiritual formation. He became deeply committed to this new community, and many of those old friendships remain strong even today. It was in this group that Steve met the love of his life, Kristen, and they were married in 1998.  

In their early years of marriage Steve enjoyed a career as an analyst in transport logistics. However, his career took a turn when he suffered an unfortunate layoff from FedEx. A number of factors and complexities contributed to the reality that Steve’s career never developed as he had hoped. In the early 2000’s he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder (CMT). CMT is a degenerative disease that damages the nerves in the arms and legs. This disease ended up making life complicated for Steve in many ways. Steve also struggled for several years with mental illness, and this significantly impacted his career path through no fault of his own. In spite of the many disappointments along the way, Steve never gave up, and he continued to pursue employment. He was driven by his strong desire to provide for his family and was always using his unique ability to network and make connections with the goal and hope of securing employment. He found creative ways to work, even when it wasn’t exactly in his desired field. He supported Kristen’s counseling practice in every way he could, negotiating contracts, securing office space and promoting her business. Steve never stopped pursuing career opportunities. Even when he was in the middle of his first round of chemotherapy in the fall of 2021, Steve was participating in job interviews. Though he has grappled with many disappointments along the way, his love for God and family motivated him to never give up, and his journey has been marked by tenacity and perseverance.

Steve has always been fiercely devoted to Kristen and their boys. Together, he and Kristen have remained committed to one another through the ups and downs of marriage. Over the years he has supported his boys in all of their activities. He is their biggest fan and is unbelievably proud of their accomplishments on the football field as well as in diving and pole vaulting. Steve, Kristen and the boys have especially enjoyed being a part of the Twinsburg Football Family.  Steve is quick to show his gratitude for how profoundly God has blessed him with the good gifts of family and community.

In the summer of 2021 Steve was diagnosed with cancer. After several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation he hit some bumps in the road. A stubborn infection in his foot proved to be a major setback, as his cancer treatment had to be put on hold in order to get the infection under control. Steve has bravely endured months of chronic, debilitating pain. After being hospitalized for about 10 days in early February, Steve transitioned to home hospice care. He passed into the presence of Jesus on Friday February 25, 2022. 

Newest Update

March 15, 2023

Journal entry by KMarie Schiopota —

Reflecting…

We had our usual Monday family dinner night on February 27th, but this time at a wonderful restaurant to commemorate Steve’s passing on February 25th 2022 and his birthday on March 4th.  Hard to believe it has been a full year since his passing. In many ways it seems like yesterday and simultaneously a lifetime ago…We had discussions that night about so many things: 1. the most challenging parts of the last year( At the top of the list is wanting to share life moments with a dad and husband who can no longer physically join us ), 2. about the areas in which we grew as well as the blessings, 3.mourning our past year of firsts: first time for [Nathan’s] graduation without Dad, first birthdays without him [Luke turned the milestone of 21], first vacation without Dad telling us how to pack the van [we know how to do it Dad, because you taught us!) 🤣, first time not to have Dad sitting in His Chair waiting for us to get home…, first Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter, Valentine’s Day (the anniversary of Steve’s proposal to me)…so many firsts!

 

We continue to be thankful that Steve is dancing in Heaven and enjoying sweet fellowship with Jesus and so many others that have gone before him!!! Praise God for that assurance!

 

We are so thankful for how our church and friends and family supported us so well in this first year with prayer, meals, cards, hugs and other practical assistance.  We continue to experience our Father’s promise that He will “…provide for all of our needs in Christ Jesus!”  Phil4:19

 

Would you allow me the privilege of requesting further specific prayer requests?

1.  We have 2 graduations this year: Luke from KSU with an exercise science degree and Josh from high school.

 - That the boys would turn to our Father as they wrestle with the loss of their Dad in this important milestone.

2.  That the transition for Luke to come home and Josh move in with Nathan at KSU for a cybersecurity degree will be smooth.

3.  Luke is seeking a sales position in the healthcare field.

4.  Continued growth of Nathan’s power washing and soft washing business (moldmilitia.com)

5.  That we would honor our Father as we continue to dialogue and grieve in the upcoming year ( I was informed that the second year is even more difficult as a widow- God is in control of that as well!)

And now we begin planning for a future without Steve. Please pray for a willingness to step out into new adventures in our family and in my business (hopefamilycounseling.com) trusting that our Father is faithful forever (Ps.146:6) and also pray that we will respond well to His gracious leadership.  THANKYOU. And we continue to praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

 

 

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