Stephen Neill

United States Marine Corps Sergeant Stephen B. Neill, Jr., aged 36, husband of Erin Neill of Westminster, CO, passed away in his home on July 11th, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with Combat Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Stephen (Steve) and his twin sister, Stephanie, were born on January 3rd, 1981 in Wheat Ridge, CO, to Carol Van Wagoner (Pfeifer) and Stephen B. Neill, Sr. Steve was the younger twin (by two minutes) and reveled in teasing his sister about her always being “an old lady”. Born prematurely, Steve began his life as a fighter, and had a militia of doctors, nurses, and family fighting for him. Beating all odds, Steve survived and grew to become a man of indelible will and strength. Throughout Steve’s life, he would find himself faced with obstacles that many others could not overcome, and yet, through his inherent courage and often stubbornness, he persevered and he conquered all that he came up against. Obtaining both a GED and a High School Diploma, Steve also enlisted in Job Corps to learn a trade that would carry him into his future. He always had his eye on the future and had created a road map in his mind that would take him where he wanted to be. In 2002, Steve found himself outside the United States Marine Corps Recruiting Offices. He had made the honorable and selfless decision to enlist with the best of the best, the hardest of the hard, the first in and last out, to defend our country in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks on United States Soil. Steve was proud to be a United States Marine, he breathed patriotism and bled brotherhood. He was the epitome honor, courage, and commitment. He consistently questioned, “how can I improve upon myself to be a better leader”. During his service with the USMC, Steve worked as a recruiter, at MEPS, and was stationed across the United States with 2nd Battalion Tanks. He deployed twice into the war theater, fighting for our country in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His love and passion for “his” M88 recovery vehicle was only rivaled by his love and passion for “his” M1A1 Abhrams tank. He took extreme pride in his iron horses and took that love with him after being honorably discharged from the USMC in January, 2012. Throughout his military career, he was awarded, commended, recognized, and promoted for his mindfulness, bravery, courage, conduct, honor, commitment, and skill repeatedly. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2d Awd), Sea Service Deployment Medal (2d Awd), Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (3d Awd), NATO-ISAF Afghanistan Medal, Rifle Expert Qualification Badge, and Pistol Sharpshooter Qualification Badge. Upon his discharge from the military, Steve integrated himself into civilian life quickly, but with the same passion he used to drive his success while enlisted. Steve earned 2 separate Associate’s Degrees, one in Diesel Mechanics and Technology and the other in Automotive Mechanics and Technology. He graduated at the top of his class and received numerous commendations for attendance and conduct. After graduating from college, Steve obtained a position at Rocky Mountain Metal Container, a division of the Miller/Coors Corporation, as a production worker and quickly moved through the ranks to earn the title “Production Specialist”. He was one of five men who worked the “Wide-out Cuppers” for the RMMC/Miller/Coors facility, and was proud to be “Cupper Steve”. He took pride in his machines, his product, his tools, and even “adopted” Cupper 2 as his own, scrubbing beams, polishing parts, and climbing into all the nooks and crannies to keep his machine pristine. The next time you take a drink of a can made by RMMC, you have a 1 in 5 chance of sipping out of one of Steve’s cans, and he was so proud of that! But Stephen was so much more than a Marine, or a Wide-out Cupper. He was a son, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson, a brother, a father, a step-father, and a husband. Of all his titles, he was most proud to be a father, both Daddy and Stad. He loved his girls fiercely and purely, the leader of the pack, his family looked to him for guidance, advice, protection, shelter, humor, discipline, but most of all, unconditional love. He spent an entire year as a stay-at-home dad after reuniting with Emma upon his return from Afghanistan so that they may have a chance to make up for the time he was away. He took Brodie Ayan and Eliska in as his own, picking them up after school, helping them with their homework, and teaching them that people don’t have to be blood relations to be “family”. Steve loved to take his girls fishing, swimming, biking, hiking, walking, running, dancing down grocery store aisles, camping, exploring, geocaching, barbequing…just going and doing and learning and experiencing life! He thrived when spending any and all time available teaching his girls how to be the strong and resilient young ladies that they are today, and his legacy will live on in them forever. Stephen is survived by his wife, Erin, who describes Steve as her “reason” and her “soulsong”. Steve was Erin’s hero, her shining star, which she commemorated by adopting him a star in the Cygnus constellation. He, by simply loving her, made her world complete and taught her to look within herself to become the person he knew she had the potential to be. They enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, camping and fishing, barbequing and biking together. Indoors, they built blanket forts and drew schematics for the camper trailer they hoped to retire in. For Steve and Erin, their love is a promise, unconditional and forgiving, understanding and unyielding, protective and fierce, yet gentle and easy. They made a promise to continue that love through all of time and space, their love is their promise. He is survived by his daughter, Emma L. Neill (7), step-daughters, Brodie Ayan D. Ratzlaff (10) and Eliska L. Ratzlaff (11), all of Westminster, CO. Additionally, Steve is survived by his dogs, Molly Neill (5), Gizmo Neill (9), and cat, JoJo Neill (17), who he loved as his babies and who brought him unsurpassed joy and comfort. Steve is further survived by an estranged daughter, Madelynn Gibenrath (13), residence unknown. Also surviving Stephen are his mother, Carol Van Wagoner, Las Vegas, NV and father, Stephen B. Neill, Sr., Ogden, UT; his twin sister, Stephanie Neill and her sons Tristan Clark and Tucker Bolen, Coalville, UT, and younger sister Mercedes Neill Shawver (Justin Shawver) and their son, Bennett Shawver, Mesa, AZ. He loved his family beyond measure and often expressed his hope that he had properly conveyed to them how much they meant to him. He adored his sisters especially, allowing his eyes to light up and often well up with tears when speaking so proudly of their individual accomplishments. Stephen is survived by his maternal grandmother, Marge Pfiefer, Las Vegas, NV, maternal grandfather, Joe Pfeifer, Aguanga, CA, and paternal grandfather, James R. Neill, Jr., Frederick, CO. He strived to make them proud as their only Grandson. Stephen is further survived by his maternal aunt, Yvette Malecki (Jeff Malecki), and paternal uncles, Jason Neill (Patrice Neill), and Jimmy Neill. He was blessed with a plethora of great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, second-cousins, and his newest, beautiful, second-cousin, Emersyn, who he had not yet had the pleasure to meet, but whom he watched grow from afar, in awe of her unfathomable adorability and brilliance! He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Lee Ann Paisley, Galesburg, IL and two brother-in-laws, Ian Paisley, Denver, CO, with whom he had a special, spicy brotherly relationship…sweet but also fiery, like cinnamon, and Adam Paisley, Atlanta, GA, with whom he shared a love of mechanics and funny hats. Of all these extended family members, special mention must be made of one in particular. Stephen’s Uncle Jason Neill extended to Stephen his home, his unending support, unconditional love, and admiration, even in times of turmoil and strife. Stephen and Jason were often inseparable, more like brothers than Uncle and Nephew, and shared an unbreakable bond built on a foundation of respect and understanding that even the most strained relationships have potential to be repaired with time and communication. Jason stood beside Steve to offer a shoulder to lean upon and behind Steve, often “getting his 6”, when Steve felt the entire world was turning against him. His love and guidance drove Steve to be a better human, a better husband, and a better man, and Steve was honored to be his nephew. A final mention must be made to a woman who, although unrelated to Steve, sacrificed her time and resources unquestioningly to help him raise his girls. Kathern Ann Ratzlaff (Puyear), the former mother-in-law- of Steve’s wife, Erin, took on Steve as her “son” and Emma as her “granddaughter” in June of 2016. She rallied behind Steve and his family, spending hours of time every week ensuring safe and loving daycare for Emma while Steve and Erin both were at work. She has supported their family through this most difficult time, taking Erin and the girls into her home without hesitation, mourning the loss of a “son” she only met a little over a year ago. Steve often spoke of her with respect and love, expressing gratitude and amazement at her selflessness, and acknowledging that “we could not do this without her”. Stephen B. Neill, Jr. was a humble man, who did not believe he deserved the love of those who meant so much to him. He simply did his duty, nothing more, and did not understand why we were in awe of him, and all the while, he was in awe of us. He loved simply, but deeply. He cared subtly, but wholly. He inspired a generation of young ladies to become amazing women, because they were his mini-marines, they will not quit, they will not fall, they will mourn their father, but they will carry on his legacy with pride and conviction. In the end, Stephen fought nobly, honorably, and with every fiber of his being to overcome his PTSD, and in the end, he died as a Marine, protecting his family from the battles he fought inside himself and the wars that he could not leave behind.