Just before noon on Friday, March 13, 2026, Steven A. Ferguson slipped gently away from this world, like a canoe slides into the river current.

Steve was born on July 12, 1962 in Ft. Wayne, IN to Sherrill & Connie (Mennewisch) Ferguson.  Their family home was near the St. Joseph River, where Steve loved to play, despite his mom's frequent warnings about the undertow, which she insisted would drag them under.  His favorite childhood memories were playing in and around the St. Joe River, which sparked a lifelong love for it - and all rivers.

After a short career as a diesel mechanic as a young man, Steve worked as a cabinetmaker for a number of years.  He met and married Martha Bishop in 1992, finding her attractions many-faceted.  As he told a friend, "She has a hound dog, a Shopsmith and a boat!".  In 1995, Steve and Martha adopted twin 5 year old boys.  Steve plunged into fatherhood wholeheartedly, teaching Rick and Ron to camp, canoe, change flat tires, use woodworking tools, and many other "adulting" skills.

Throughout his life, Steve maintained his connection to the river.  He was part of a group of friends called the River Rats, most of them Northrop High School grads who loved being in or around the St. Joseph River.  A skilled canoeist, he was in his element paddling on the St. Joe, as well as northern Michigan rivers.  To further enjoy the St. Joe, he engineered a sidewheeler paddleboat, using an old pontoon as a base, and he spent hours on it every summer with his family.

In midlife, feeling ready for a new career challenge, he decided to become an elementary school teacher.  He attended IPFW and obtained a degree in education, then began teaching in a Fort Wayne charter school.  His favorite position was as a traveling science teacher for kindergarten through sixth grade, and he loved showing kids how fascinating (and useful) science can be.  His teaching skill served him well in helping his sons with homework, and when his beloved granddaughter, Madelyn came to live with him and Martha. Steve never stopped learning.  He maintained his fascination with science and with history throughout his life.  His shelves were crowded with books, from natural history to word origins, bird identification, and many other subjects.

Steve and Martha planted more than 7,000 native trees on their homesite along the river near Spencerville (a former cornfield), with the help of their boys.  In later years, Steve loved to walk around the property and see how the oaks, walnuts, hickories and poplars were growing.  In fact, when Martha started a native plant nursery business, Steve became the resident expert on Indiana trees.

Woodworking was always a part of his life, too.  He crafted all the cabinetry in his home's kitchen out of cherry wood, and often made pens, vases and bowls from a variety of native woods.

Later, he took a position at Sweetwater Sound, where he was known for his positive attitude and cheerful disposition.  When cancer forced an early retirement, Steve continued to volunteer in the community, for his church, for his granddaughter's school, and anywhere he saw a need.  If there was a task that needed to be done, Steve did it quietly, without being asked and without fanfare.  For instance, when he saw the native plants around the Spencerville Covered Bridge needed water, he drove his tractor and trailer with a water tank from his farm.  He emptied many overflowing trash cans at the bridge and hung  Christmas decorations at his church.  In many small ways, he made his community a better place.

Steve was guided by his deep Christian faith; he didn't seek praise but hoped others would see the light of Jesus through him.

This poem found in McGuffey's Reader reflects his abiding faith and the way he lived, with kindness, honesty and integrity.

Beautiful Faces

Beautiful faces are they that wear

The light of a pleasant spirit there;

Beautiful hands are they that do

Deeds that are noble, good and true;

Beautiful feet are they that go

Swiftly to lighten another's woe.

Steve is survived by his wife, Martha Ferguson; sons, Ronald S. Ferguson of Amarillo, Texas and Richard A. Ferguson, Spencerville; granddaughter, Madelyn M. Ferguson of Spencerville; father, Sherrill "Fergy" Ferguson of New Haven; brother, Scott (Amy) Ferguson of New Haven; as well as many nieces, nephews and in-laws whom he dearly loved.

Friends & Family may gather on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 6-8 pm at Coburn Corners Church of Christ (6813 CR 64 St. Joe, IN).  A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 3 pm with calling one hour prior to the service.  Pastor Lynn Hart will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Coburn Corners Church of Christ or to Madelyn Ferguson's educational 529 plan.  (Go to Ugift529.com and you will be prompted to enter a code (F3L-G6E) that will take you to Madelyn's account to enter a donation.)

In addition, we can honor Steve's life by following his example, becoming faithful caretakers of our rivers, our community and our world.