Horton, Steven Ward

Steven Ward Horton, 62, of Mount Vernon, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, due to complications from heart bypass surgery. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon. Steve's visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon, with Masonic services starting at 7 p.m. A private burial will be in Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

Surviving Steve are his wife, Ruth; son, Brice of Iowa City; daughter, Valerie of Cedar Rapids; brother, Bill of Trophy Club, Texas; and granddaughter, Elysia Horton of Blairstown.

Preceding Steve in death were his parents; daughter, Alison; uncle, Don “Unc”; brother, Bob; and sister-in-law, Jan Horton.

Steve was born April 11, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, the youngest son of Boyd and Ruth (Sipple) Horton. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1968 and attended Kirkwood Community College. Steve married Ruth Schmitz on Feb. 27, 1971, in the home of his parents. He owned and operated, with his parents, Horton Ready Mix for many years.

Steve was a long time member of Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Department and  an active volunteer with St. Luke's Hospital. He also was a member of the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Masonic Lodge 112 and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. Steve was active in AA, sponsoring several people, and had received his 28-year sobriety pin.

Memorials in Steve's honor may be made to the Mount Vernon Fire Department or Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance, both of 214 First St. West, Mount Vernon, IA 52314.

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Published Nov. 14, 2011, in The Gazette