Steven Croyle

Steven P. Croyle went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. He was surrounded by family and went peacefully into the night. Steve was one of four children, born to Donald and Lois Croyle on April 3, 1948, in Seattle, Wash. Though born in Seattle, he was raised primarily in Spokane where he met the love of his life, Marjorie Laney, at age 16. Steve and Marj married Aug. 2, 1969, and had two sons, Robbi and Ricki.

Steve is a veteran, serving four years in the Army. In Vietnam, he fixed transmissions on Jeeps and tanks. He pioneered the practice of reusing scrapped parts instead of waiting weeks and months for new parts to arrive from the states.

Steve and the family were semi-nomadic in the early years, living in Texas, California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. They moved, on average, once a year and the shortest time they ever stayed in one house was three weeks.

At the age of 35, Steve moved the family to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and planted deep roots. Steve is best known in the community as owner and operator of Lake City Transmission & Muffler for close to 30 years. Steve ran his business on the premise that if he treated people like he would want to be treated, then they would keep coming back. Because of great customer service and Steve’s genius for fixing transmissions, the business flourished for nearly three decades. In 2013, Steve and Marj retired from the transmission business and dedicated their lives to their kids, grandkids and church friends.

Steve is also well-known for ministering to people both through his business and church. He had a tender heart for those suffering with addiction and touched many lives through the recovery and marriage mentoring ministries. One thing that made Steve so special was his ability to listen and show empathy. He was honest with his own struggles and made room for people to be broken.

Steve was one tough cookie. It took prostate cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and a broken hip to finally bring him down. Even with all that he never lost his sense of humor and sweet spirit.

Steve is survived by his wife, Marj; sons Robbi and Ricki; sisters Mary, Jean and Loralee; and grandkids Genevieve, Jacob, Joshua, Joy, Jasmine, David and Ryan.

A visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. today, Jan. 25, 2017, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. A graveside service will be held at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho.