Stephen John Nicholas Siwinski

Stephen John Nicholas Siwinski, 66 of Monticello, passed away at 7:25 pm on February 18, 2020 at Franciscan Hospital in Lafayette with his loving wife, Deborah, by his side.
He was born in Hammond, Indiana on March 2, 1953 to Stanley and Helen Siwinski. From his father he honed an old-world work ethic. From his mother he earned his caring heart and wry sense of humor. It was under his parents careful guidance that he developed his taste for Polish sausage, pierogi and pickled beets, his first loves. His siblings, Stanley Siwinski and Susan Siwinski-Hebel enjoyed building memories in the summerhouse beside Magician Lake and hearing the rhythmic sound of their father cursing from the garage.
He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, LA where he wrestled, enjoyed Wild Turkey bourbon, twisted tails at many a crawfish boil and pretended to study. It was there that he met and fell madly in love with a redhead; his trusty Irish Setter, Kahuna. Together they personified the very definition of the Cajun phrase "Laissez les bons temps rouler" (let the good times roll). And roll they did.
Somewhere along the way Steve developed a penchant for junk, old cars, old gas pumps, oil bottles, metal toys, log cabins and taxidermied animal heads. If it wasnt nailed down (and even if it was) he would buy it and sell it. He was a trapper, a trader and a deal maker, all with the grizzly beard and overalls to match.
But the best deal of all came when he married his TRUE love Deborah Denise Siwinski (Caldwell) on July 5th, 1981. It was on a steamy summer day, decked out in polyester, donning a cowboy hat (festooned with pheasant feathers) that he wed his lovely bride. They sealed the deal by signing their marriage license on the backside of a horse, a little detail that he loved to share when spinning the yarn of his wedding day.
Steves world grew two-fold when he met his daughter Christy Lynn McMindes (Siwinski). His love for her was instantaneous. He encouraged her in many ways including encouraging her to eat off of the kids menu long after she had passed the cut off of "12 and Under." He celebrated her victories, cheered her on, and may or may not have used her as an accessory to smuggle wine across the Canadian border.
Speaking of crimes, his heart was stolen with the birth of his son Stephen Cole Siwinski. He served as many things to his son including as a flotation device in the murky waters of Lake Shafer, and a skilled first responder when Stevie broke his nose at the batting cages at the Indiana Beach Campground.
Steve had a pioneering spirit and when it came to taking chances he blazed the trail. Renovate an old motel into a Victorian themed bed and breakfast? Sure. Open a pizza shop and deliver doctored up frozen pizzas to unsuspecting tourists in an electric golf cart? Hell take a slice at it. Run a tanning salon? Pass the Panama Jack suntan lotion. Buy TWO old churches and turn them into temples of love alongside the love of his life, Deb? Hell yes. Vegetarian restaurant? He can dig it. Ice cream shop? Hes got the scoop. "Next and next and next" as Steve would say.
Steve was preceded in death by his loving dogs, Tink and Mutzy. They scampered ahead to prepare a cozy place for him to find rest and peace.
Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of services celebrating Steves life at 4:00 pm Sunday, February 23, 2020 at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello with Chris Dodson officiating.
Donations may be made to the family to establish a fund to carry out random acts of kindness in Steves name.
Messages of condolence may be extended at www.springerfuneralhome.com
Services
Visitation
Sunday, February 23, 2020
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home
202 S. Illinois St.
Monticello, IN 47960


Funeral Service
Sunday, February 23, 2020
4:00 PM Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home
202 S. Illinois St.
Monticello, IN 47960