Stephen Hager, 61 of Merriam Woods, Missouri

Services for Stephen Hager, 61 of Merriam Woods, will be Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and a celebration of Stephen’s life will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Mike Seewald of Citizens Church of the Nazarene officiating.  Stephen will be interred at a later date in Verdella, Missouri at Bluff Cemetery.

Stephen Joseph Hager was born in Los Angeles, California on June 25, 1961.  His family moved to Southwest Missouri when he was 5 and Steve attended various schools in the area including Central High School in Springfield.  The family later resided in Pittsburg, Kansas and Steve’s stepdad ran a candy route where Steve met his sweetheart, Kathleen “Kathy” Dighero.  They were married in 1979 in Miami, Oklahoma.  Steve worked several years for a cable company in Pittsburg.  In 2000, he and Kathy moved to the Springfield/Branson area, where Steve went to work in the Branson tourism industry; managing hotel, operating Segway adventures, and various other duties for the Tripuim group - including his passion, Lights of Joy.

Steve loved learning, especially in the subject of history, and he loved researching genealogy.  He wrote three historical novellas and accompaniments.  He also used his writing and artistic talents to create and illustrate children’s books.  He enjoyed all things Star Trek and all things sci-fi. His favorite pastime was spending time with family.

Steve was a man of faith. He had served in youth ministry and gave of his time and energy to other church programs.  Over the last fifteen years, he had a passion for prison ministry and created the Christian Literacy Project which helped prisoners learn to read and provided them Bibles. Steve will also be remembered for his determined spirit.  He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather.  He was his family’s hero.  He loved big and unselfishly and will be greatly missed.

Steve passed into his eternal home on Sunday, January 8, 2023 surrounded by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William John Hager and Wanda Jo (Farrell) Hager and his sister, Nancy (Hager) Okabe.

Steve is survived by his wife, Kathy Hager; children, Joseph Hager, Andrew Hager, Elisabeth Goodman, Matthias Hager and Benjamin Hager; brothers, William Hager, Robert Hager and David Hager; six granddaughters and four grandsons as well as extended family and friends.

Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory

1638 East State Highway 76

Branson, Missouri 65616

Telephone – 417-334-3670

Fax – 417-336-3670