Final Salute

Stephen (“Steve”) Edward Schramer passed away peacefully on April 21, 2023, at the age of 77. He was born on November 7, 1945, in St. Charles, Illinois, to Joseph H. Schramer and Bonnie Naughton. One of nine siblings (brothers Jim, Dan, Mike, Joe, Pat, and Richard, and sisters Peggy and Laura), he excelled in athletics and coaching in his younger years. He lived in Seattle before joining the Navy in 1966, where he served as a “Seabee” for four years. He met his bride-to-be, Mary Porter, in Seattle and was married in Hawaii on April 20, 1968. They eventually settled in Washington State, where they lived first in Shoreline and later Camano Island before moving to Arkansas in 2008. Most of his career was spent with Boeing in Everett and Redmond, Washington, where he worked in aircraft construction.
An avid hobbyist and car enthusiast, Steve amassed an extensive collection of model trains and slot cars. His garage contained a detailed replica of Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, and a bedroom in his house was converted to a “train room” to showcase a variety of locomotives and rail cars in realistic settings. He also built hundreds of model cars, customizing them with elaborate paint jobs and performance enhancements. Not content with models alone, Steve owned and modified his share of real cars, too. His pride and joy was a red 2006 Saleen Mustang, which was often seen on the roads of Hot Springs Village and at its many golf courses, where he would regularly tee it up with friends. Steve so enjoyed the links that he made a pilgrimage to St. Andrews in 2016, posing on the world-famous Swilcan Bridge for every golfer’s dream photo.
Steve embraced Hot Springs Village, becoming a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, serving as an Usher at Sacred Heart Parish, and volunteering in the Junior Golf Program. He was preceded in death by his brother Richard, sister Peggy, and wife Mary. After Mary’s passing, Steve’s many friends kept him going. From racing slots and running trains to eating burgers and playing golf, he lived life to the fullest, right up to the very end. His larger-than-life personality, booming voice, and endless supply of one-liners will never be forgotten. Steve is survived by his two daughters, Sabrina Worrall and Kimberly Kohn, and grandchildren, Dylan Worrall and Jordyn Worrall. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to either the Hot Springs Village Junior Golf Program (https://www.hsvjuniorgolf.org/donate-sponsor) or the AASLD Foundation (https://www.aasldfoundation.org/).
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen, please visit our floral store.

Published by Caruth-Hale Funeral Home on Apr. 25, 2023.