Steven W. Coons was born Oct. 22, 1949 to W. Glenn and Josephine (Galdabini) Coons. He joined a sister, Carol E. Coons, and a brother, Joe G. Coons. He was delivered in Mrs. Butler’s Nursing Home in Cottage Grove, Ore., and his birth was attended by Dr. Axley.
At the age of 1½ years old he contracted rheumatic fever and was bed-ridden for over a year. He attended Drain Elementary and graduated from Drain High School in 1967.
Steven enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1969 and was released from duty November 1971. He did his training at Fort Lewis in Washington. He was sent to Vietnam where he was serving in the Army’s Navy as a Water Craft Operator. After he returned, he was stationed at Fort Eustis, Va. Upon his release he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and a Good Conduct Medal. He returned home on Buck Creek Road near Drain.
In 1976, he moved to 3500 Anlauf Road, Yoncalla, Ore. He continued to reside there until his death on July 2, 2021.
He worked for Portable Rock, and then for Boucock and Dupper Logging. After that he worked with Elmer Dupper. He then worked for Backus and Williams until he suffered a heart attack. After his recovery he worked for D & R Logging until it closed. He then began logging his own property.
Steven was always interested in model trains. He got his first model train set in the 1950s and it grew from there. He attended the monthly meetings of the Liars Club, which is made up of retired railroad employees.
He is survived by his sister, Carol C. Wigle of Philomath, Ore., and his brother Joe G. Coons and wife Kittie Jo of Yoncalla; and nephew Joseph G. Coons, Yoncalla. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Donations can be made to North Douglas Betterment or charity of your choice.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 17 at Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, 123 S. 7th St., Cottage Grove. Interment at Comstock Cemetery.
