Steven Ballew

Steven Charles Ballew, age 58, passed away on September 20, 2013. Steve was born July 31, 1955, in Granite City, Il. He was preceded in death by his parents Garvie and Edith Ballew. Steve is survived by his wife Cindy and their daughter Mackenzie, brother Jack (Charlotte) Ballew, all of Springfield, sister Barbara Wood (Jay Vivian) Cape Cod, MA, nieces Shana (Lance) Stehling, Houston TX, Adaire Ballew (Leonid Kotlyar) Brooklyn, NY, Amanda Vivian, San Francisco, CA, Karri Hickman (Mike) Vaught, Dallas, TX, great nephews Andrew Kotlyar, Brooklyn, NY, and Treston Stehling, Houston, TX, former wife and friend Leslie Ballew, many cousins and friends, and his cat Sadie.
Steve moved to Springfield in 1968 and graduated from Central High School in 1973 where he was a member of the marching band and jazz band, which won the national competition in New York. He also attended Drury College. He was president of Ballew Saw and Tool, which was founded by his parents in 1968.
He loved sales and customer service, seeming to never meet a stranger. He was very instrumental in the growth of the company. He was respected by all who did business with him.
His first love was music. He was an excellent drummer and played with many bands, including but not limited to: Aquafox, Bicentennial Blues Band, Cahoots, Don Shipps and the Titanic Blues Band, Falcon, Gary Meyers Group, Granny’s Bathwater, Hee Haw in Branson, The Lefty Brothers, Ricky and the Rockets, Smoot Mahuti, Tears of Joy with Richard Bruton, Tony Trifone and Power Trip, Wildcat, Zachary Beau, and was a substitute drummer for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 24, from 6 to 8 PM, with services to be held Wednesday, September 25 at 10 AM at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 East Walnut Street. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cross Lines and/or The Kitchen.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.