Stephen Edward Uelk, age 76, of Florissant, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025, surrounded by family after a difficult battle with cancer. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 8, 1948.

Steve was a man of many passions – he loved books, music, movies, and Vespas. He valued education and travel, not for material gain or status, but for the way they open minds and build compassion. He lived life to the fullest and on his own terms, with a free spirit too bold to be confined by convention.

Steve spent most of his career as a communications consultant at Southwestern Bell, but his favorite part of the job was playing hooky to coach his girl’s teams. To know him was to know how proud he was of his daughters and grandchildren because he never failed to tell them or anyone else who would listen. He adored lazy days spent with Janel, the love of his life, reading the paper, listening to music, and trading witty banter.

Steve’s beautiful spirit lives on through his grandchildren. With Izzi, you can see his free spirit shining through, along with his passion for storytelling, his deep compassion for people, and—true to form—his love of cannabis. Steve always encouraged Presley’s artistic side with special requests for art, which still adorn his walls at home. They also shared a love for cooking and creating elaborate meals.

 It was Steve who insisted that Rhett Jr, whom he called “Little Bits,” try martial arts at age 7. That encouragement took root, and as a second-degree black belt, we think it stuck. Grant inherited his love for sports, especially baseball—Steve made sure of it, surrounding him with enough Cardinals memorabilia to last a lifetime. Steve loved music and delighted in watching musicals with his grandkids, showering them with gifts of maracas, tambourines, egg shakers, lollipop drums, guitars, and more. It was the gift of a drum set (technically for Rhett Jr.) that finally sparked a passion for making music in his youngest grandchild and namesake, Sawyer Stephen.

Steve is survived by his wife and soulmate of nearly 42 years, Janel DeVoogt Uelk; daughters, Stephanie E. (Rhett) Clawson and Livia T. (Jeff) Konkel; and his grandchildren, Izzi Clawson, Presley Konkel, Rhett Clawson Jr., Grant Konkel, and Sawyer Clawson.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Roy E. Uelk and Georgia F. Powers (nee Jones); his brother, Mark C. Uelk; and his grandparents, Heinrich “Henry” Christopher Uelk, Olivia “Olive” Theresa Uelk (nee La Flam), Alvin Miller Jones, and Lera Marie Jones (nee Lanier).

Family and friends are invited to join us on Monday, October 6, 2025, for a visitation beginning at 4:00 pm and a memorial service at 7:00 pm at Hutchens, 675 Graham Road, 63031.

Donations can be made in his memory to Siteman Cancer Center or BJC Hospice.

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