Steven M. Minkler, 68, of 8753 Factory St., Evans Mills, passed September 4, 2016  following a courageous battle with cancer at his home where he under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Calling hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, September 8th  at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, Watertown.  A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Doug Marlow officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow at the Black River Cemetery.

Born on September 19, 1947 the son of Ronald B. and Catherine E. (Bisnett) Minkler, he graduated from WHS in 1967 and received a standing ovation from his fellow classmates.

He was then drafted into the US Army and entered on November 14, 1967 and served with the HHH 7th Infantry Division in Korea.  During that time he served in the Honor Guard and protected people such as Bob Hope, Ann Margaret and Miss World during a USO show.  He was honorably discharged on June 28, 1969.

Upon returning home his love of cars began.  He was the proud owner of the first Z28 in the Watertown area and he and his friends liked to drag race their cars.  He was also a well known bowler, bowling in many leagues in Watertown, Theresa and Ogdensburg.  He was known as "thee best bar athlete" in Watertown and was an avid fan of the NY Giants, Yankees and Syracuse sports.

Steve went to work for SMI for several years, he worked construction on the Salmon Run Mall and on his infamous wall on the backside of Sears, and in the maintenance department at CSMSD NY Army National Guard on Fort Drum.  He started his career for NYS Department of Corrections in April of 1989.  He worked at Sing Sing, Bedford Hills, Ogdensburg and retired from Cape Vincent Correctional Facility in April of 2011.

He married Wanda M. Thot, daughter of Martin and Patricia Thot on March 11, 1989 at Concordia Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Windle officiating.

Among his survivors  are his wife, Wanda and their son, Bryan, Evans Mills; a sister and brother in law, Constance "Connie" and Gerald "Gerry" LaRose, Statesville, NC; a nephew and his wife, Jeff and Heather Larose and their children, Nicholas, Emma and Sarah; a niece and her husband, Danielle and Paul Reed and their children, Kaylynn and Harrison of McKinney, TX; two stepsisters, Debbie Fazio, Calcium, Cheryl Fazio, Hoosick Falls, NY; a stepbrother and his wife, Frank and Kate Fazio, Copenhagen; several cousins and his beloved golden lab and buddy, Mr. Riley.

His parents, Catherine E. and Raymond Shanahan, Ronald B. and Mary E. Minkler and his father in law, Martin Thot all died before him.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the SPCA or Hospice of Jefferson County.

Online condolence may be made at www.hartandbrucefh.com