Stephen Warren Hire, age 75 of Three Rivers, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2021 in Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. He was born on Oct. 12, 1945 in Wolf Lake, IN, one of ten children born to Warren G. and Dorothy Mae (Angel) Hire. He graduated from Millersburg High School with the class of 1964. Steve served in the US Army from 1965-67 and was a Viet Nam veteran. Steve worked in the R-V industry for forty years with Star-Craft, Thor, and Forest River, retiring in 2007. A generous and kind man, he was the caretaker for the Hire Cemetery near Ligonier. He enjoyed bowling, square dancing, travel, and visiting the casinos. He looked forward to Monday and Wednesday night card games and had wintered in Arizona the past ten years. He was a member of Eagles Lodge 2303 in Three Rivers, American Legion Post 0484 in Millersburg, F.O.P. Lodge 106, the 196 ^th Light Infantry Brigade, and Colon Grange 215.

Steve was married to Jeannine Huff on July 4, 1987 in Mendon. She survives along with his mother, Dorothy Mae Hire of Millersburg; sons, Blake Hire of Kendallville and Michael Hire of Three Rivers; step-daughter, Jennifer Somerlott of Kenosha, WI; step-son, James (Adam Barnes) Somerlott of Sydney, Australia; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; eight siblings, Thomas (Linda) Hire, Marsha Coak, Marie Dillon, Quentin Hire, Melanie Epert, Scott Hire, Lori (Kurt) Dressler, and Angie (Paul) Bickel; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Hire; and a brother, John Hire.

Friends and neighbors my visit from 2 to 6 pm Sunday, Feb. 21 ^st at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Masks, distancing, and a limit of 25 at any one time will be observed. A funeral service with family will be 11 am Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 at the Mendon United Methodist Church with Steve's brother-in-law, Tom Schwartz officiating. Military interment will follow in Mendon Cemetery. A recording of the funeral service will be posted to the funeral home website later in the day.

It is suggested that memorial contributions be made to either the St. Joseph County Veterans Affairs Office, or to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group of Scottsdale, AZ ( www.SRWHMG.org ). Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com