VINTON:  Stephen J. "Steve" Abernathy, age 64, died Saturday, June 24, 2006 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following and brief illness.
     Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton with Rev. Mark C. Urlaub officiating.  Interment will be held at the Urbana Cemetery.  Friends may call from 4-8 P.M. on Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E 6th St.) in Vinton. 
     Steve was born June 15, 1942 at Vinton to Byron and Jennabel (Braginton) Abernathy.  He graduated from Washington High School in 1961.  On November 8, 1969 he married Vicki Schellhase.  After graduating high school, Steve worked for his father at Abernathy Grocery.  He was also employed by Hawk-Bilt for 10 years.  For several years Steve worked as a Teacher's Associate at Tilford Junior High and transferred to Lincoln Elementary School this past year.
     Steve was a 50-year member of Wesley United Methodist Church.  Steve loved golf and was a member of the Vinton Country Club for 45 years.  He enjoyed working with kids and volunteered as a coach's assistant with the Junior High football team.  Steve was also a member of the Vinton Fire Department for 20 years.
     Steve is survived by his wife Vicki; his son, Mike and wife, Ellen of Marion; and his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Roger Schlarbaum of Vinton.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Kirk in 1977; and his mother and father-in-law, Bernard and Betty Jane Schellhase.
    A memorial fund has been established.