Steven Robert Gayman

Steven Robert Gayman, 39, the youngest of Duane Robert and Shirley Faye (Gilliland) Gayman, was born Aug. 26, 1969, in El Dorado Springs, Mo.., and passed from this life on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008.

Steve attended both elementary and high school in Schell City, Mo., graduating with the class of 1987. He then attended college at the School of the Ozarks, in Branson, Mo., where he obtained a degree in criminal justice in 1992. It was while living in that area he met Errica Dawn Storm. They were united in marriage on May 23, 1992, in Licking, Mo. After working as a police officer in Hollister for two years and after Errica's graduation from college in 1994, the couple moved to Nevada to make their home.

After settling in Nevada, Steve began employment with the city of Nevadaalso as a police officer, then moved up quickly through the ranks to attain the sergeant's possition, the position that he was holding at the time of his death. Through the years, he and Errica became the proud parents of two sons. With the exception of his college years, Steve lived his entire life in the Vernon County area. He and Errica, along with the boys, built a new home in rural Walker in 2004 and settled back on the family farm. Steve was baptized as a young boy and has most recently been attending the Pentecostal Assembly of God Church, in Nevada. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, loved horses and always participated in sports. He coached the Fraternal Order of Police youth basketball team before his own boys were old enough to play and just this past summer he has helped coach Austin's Nevada youth team. Steve was reared in a strong Christian home and had always carried his faith with him throughout his life and in the life that he and Errica had made for their boys.

Survivors include his wife Errica, of the home in rural Walker; his two young sons, Steven Austin and Tyler Matthew, also of the home; one brother, Mike Gayman, and his wife Rona, and their sons Austin and Cole, of Oronogo, Mo.; one sister, Lisa Wittman and her husband Mike, and their children Lindsey and Logan, of Tulsa, Okla.; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, other relatives and many friends. Steve was preceded in death by his beloved father, Duane, and his very speical mother, Shirley, who passed away just three weeks before Steve.

Funeral services for Steven Robert Gayman were held at 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 22, at the Pentecostal Assembly of God Church, in Nevada, with brother Mark Harwell officiating. Musical selections were "Amazing Grace" and "I Can Only Imagine". Pallbearers were Terry Smith, David Maus Gary Hammack, Mike Galimberto, Todd Feagans and Mike Eador. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Nevada Police Department. Police funeral honors were provided by the Joplin Honor Guard, from Joplin, Mo. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery, in Schell City.

Memorial contributions are suggested to a fund that has been established for Steve's two sons. Funeral arrangements for Steve were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, in Schell City.