Stephen “Steve” Eugene Wathen, 79, of Rockport, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, after an 11-month battle with glioblastoma.
He was born on January 30, 1946, in Rockport, to Charles and Pauline (Henderson) Wathen.
Steve was a long-time member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and served on the St. Bernard Parish Council. He graduated from Rockport High School in 1965 and proudly served in the U.S. Navy. After retiring from ALCOA as an electrician in 1999, he briefly worked at AK Steel before transitioning to a role in maintenance and as a school bus driver for South Spencer School Corporation, where he continued to work until 2020.
Steve was a lifelong learner, an avid reader of science fiction and Westerns, and had a deep love for the outdoors and woodworking. He cherished the time he spent in the woodshop with his son-in-law, Eric, where they crafted unique pieces that they proudly displayed at artisan craft shows.
Steve is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wilma (Cameron) Wathen; their three children, Stephen Wathen, Rebecca (Eric) Havener, and Sarah (Bill) Leonard; grandchildren, Sam (Kyle) Wathen, Maddison Havener, Mason (Bailey) Havener, and Veronica Leonard; siblings, Tony (Rose) Wathen, Mike (Carol) Wathen, Theresa (Jeff) Hinson, and Joe (Jennie) Wathen; several nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday, April 7, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Rockport with Father Donald Ackerman officiating. Burial will follow in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation is 3 until 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6, and from 9 until 9:45 a.m. Monday, April 7, at Boultinghouse Funeral Home in Rockport.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Steve’s memory to the Glioblastoma Foundation (https://glioblastomafoundation.org) or the Glioblastoma Research Organization (https://www.gbmresearch.org).
Friends may leave a condolence for the family at www.BoultinghouseFuneralHome.com.
