Steve Pieratt is known for his kind words, his good deeds and his hard work. Those who knew him best knew Steve devoted his life to his greatest love, his family.
Steven M. Pieratt (1959-2007) was the second of four boys born to Robert and Patricia Pieratt. Due to his father’s unexpected passing at the early age of 31, Steve and his brothers (Bob, Billy, Jimmy and Michael) were raised by his mother and stepfather Ray Arthur in Morning Sun, Ohio.
Growing up, Steve had a passion for sports and he was a gifted athlete playing baseball, basketball and football. Known for his ability to hit the key jump shot to win an EHS basketball game, Steve became a hero to some of the younger boys in Morning Sun.
As a teenager Steve began his lifelong contributions to the youth of the Morning Sun and Eaton area. Steve gave of his time and talent to work with these younger boys. Randy McKinney tells this story of Steve’s generosity. “Steve played on the Eaton High School team when I was in 7th grade. I was on the Dixon jr. high basketball team, but I was horrible. I sat the bench. Steve saw my potential and worked with me over the next few years. He encouraged me and made me better. He helped all of the younger guys in the neighborhood. Steve took us under his wing when he was in high school. If he hadn’t I probably wouldn’t have been a teacher or coach. Steve touched so many people in his life, even when he was a kid.” According to McKinney, Steve played with them, corrected them and instructed them. He helped these young boys become better athletes, better skilled in the game. Most importantly, he helped them be better people. Steve encouraged these boys to get good grades, stay out of trouble and go to college.
During high school, Steve met his true love, Janice Rossman. Their young love bloomed and lasted a lifetime. Steve and Janice married in 1977. The following year they were blessed with their first of three children, Melinda (Mindy). Janice and Steve were later blessed with two more children, sons, Ryan (1982) and Blake (1989).
In 1978, Steve obtained a position as service technician with Lowman Metal Shop in Eaton. He worked for Lowman’s the remainder of his life. Steve would often be seen driving through town with his arm out of the service truck’s window so he could wave and yell “Hi!” to the many friends he would pass in the course of his workday.
Throughout his life, Steve worked hard for the community of Eaton, but he also continued to play hard. Always a lover of sports, Steve pitched for a local traveling softball team. Steve played basketball with the Dixon alumni team. As he played, his family traveled with him. Mindy once noted that the kids were raised on baseball diamonds and basketball courts. She maintained many great memories and an attic
full of trophies were the result. For years, Steve and Janice played in two coed local volleyball leagues.
Once his own children were old enough and interested in playing sports, Steve began to coach them or cheer them on in their activities. To show support for their children and the community, Steve and Janice devoted so much time and effort toward Mindy’s, Ryan’s and Blake’s activities that everyone involved benefitted. For instance, when the boys played little league, Steve coached. After working with Ryan’s team during baseball practice he would spend many evenings and weekends repairing the ball fields.
Steve would encourage others to get involved. He often stated, “It’s for the kids.” Blake once stated to the Register Herald, “People understood what my dad did and why he did it.” Not only did Eaton Little League directly benefit from Steve and Janice’s good works, but so did Eaton’s soccer program, Eaton’s volleyball program and Eaton’s cross country program to name a few.
In high school, Blake’s sport of choice was cross country. Steve was never a runner, but he and Janice helped build the Eaton CC Parent Organization. Their efforts helped hundreds of EHS cross country student athletes to race in NC, SC, KY, and on the Gettysburg Battlefield in PA. These trips were often educational, historical and gave the Eaton runners the opportunity to run against and become some of the best high school runners in the nation. Although Steve, himself, never raced he would encourage the kids by saying “Run one for me.”
In Steve’s final years, he and Janice were especially blessed.
Mindy graduated college, became a physical therapist, married Bob Brower and gave birth to Steve and Janice’s first grandchild, Carson (born 2004). Steve and Carson quickly became each other’s favorite person.
Ryan added to the blessed joy. He obtained a position with Henny Penny, married his wife, Danielle, and had Steve and Janice’s first granddaughter, Meredith (born 2007). Meredith was Steve’s treasure.
Blake was a continued source of pride for Steve and Janice. He excelled academically and athletically at Eaton High School. He was determining which college he would attend and was becoming the remarkable young man he is today.
Unfortunately Steve was taken too soon. Steve and Janice spent their last day working together and cheering on Blake as he raced in his senior year’s Eaton Cross Country Invitational. Many family members and friends joined them at the invitational that day.
Since Steve’s passing, Blake has graduated from IUE with a BS in Business Administration and from Anderson University with an MBA. Mindy and Bob have had a daughter Sydney, born in 2008. Ryan and Danielle have had a son Bryce, born in 2009.
Steve Pieratt had a true joy for life. He embraced the schools and community of Eaton, had a passion for sports and dearly loved his family and friends. Steve’s legacy lives, as does his place in our hearts.
“Run one for me!”- Steve Pieratt
The “Ratt” 5K Race/Walk is an annual event to honor Steve Pieratt and his many contributions to the children and athletes of the Eaton Community.
The proceeds of the “Ratt” Race benefit the Steve Pieratt Memorial Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are awarded annually to exceptional Eaton High School student-athletes bound for college. On behalf of the Steve Pieratt family and the Eaton Cross Country parent Organization, thank you for your contribution.
Steven M. Pieratt (1959-2007) was the second of four boys born to Robert and Patricia Pieratt. Due to his father’s unexpected passing at the early age of 31, Steve and his brothers (Bob, Billy, Jimmy and Michael) were raised by his mother and stepfather Ray Arthur in Morning Sun, Ohio.
Growing up, Steve had a passion for sports and he was a gifted athlete playing baseball, basketball and football. Known for his ability to hit the key jump shot to win an EHS basketball game, Steve became a hero to some of the younger boys in Morning Sun.
As a teenager Steve began his lifelong contributions to the youth of the Morning Sun and Eaton area. Steve gave of his time and talent to work with these younger boys. Randy McKinney tells this story of Steve’s generosity. “Steve played on the Eaton High School team when I was in 7th grade. I was on the Dixon jr. high basketball team, but I was horrible. I sat the bench. Steve saw my potential and worked with me over the next few years. He encouraged me and made me better. He helped all of the younger guys in the neighborhood. Steve took us under his wing when he was in high school. If he hadn’t I probably wouldn’t have been a teacher or coach. Steve touched so many people in his life, even when he was a kid.” According to McKinney, Steve played with them, corrected them and instructed them. He helped these young boys become better athletes, better skilled in the game. Most importantly, he helped them be better people. Steve encouraged these boys to get good grades, stay out of trouble and go to college.
During high school, Steve met his true love, Janice Rossman. Their young love bloomed and lasted a lifetime. Steve and Janice married in 1977. The following year they were blessed with their first of three children, Melinda (Mindy). Janice and Steve were later blessed with two more children, sons, Ryan (1982) and Blake (1989).
In 1978, Steve obtained a position as service technician with Lowman Metal Shop in Eaton. He worked for Lowman’s the remainder of his life. Steve would often be seen driving through town with his arm out of the service truck’s window so he could wave and yell “Hi!” to the many friends he would pass in the course of his workday.
Throughout his life, Steve worked hard for the community of Eaton, but he also continued to play hard. Always a lover of sports, Steve pitched for a local traveling softball team. Steve played basketball with the Dixon alumni team. As he played, his family traveled with him. Mindy once noted that the kids were raised on baseball diamonds and basketball courts. She maintained many great memories and an attic
full of trophies were the result. For years, Steve and Janice played in two coed local volleyball leagues.
Once his own children were old enough and interested in playing sports, Steve began to coach them or cheer them on in their activities. To show support for their children and the community, Steve and Janice devoted so much time and effort toward Mindy’s, Ryan’s and Blake’s activities that everyone involved benefitted. For instance, when the boys played little league, Steve coached. After working with Ryan’s team during baseball practice he would spend many evenings and weekends repairing the ball fields.
Steve would encourage others to get involved. He often stated, “It’s for the kids.” Blake once stated to the Register Herald, “People understood what my dad did and why he did it.” Not only did Eaton Little League directly benefit from Steve and Janice’s good works, but so did Eaton’s soccer program, Eaton’s volleyball program and Eaton’s cross country program to name a few.
In high school, Blake’s sport of choice was cross country. Steve was never a runner, but he and Janice helped build the Eaton CC Parent Organization. Their efforts helped hundreds of EHS cross country student athletes to race in NC, SC, KY, and on the Gettysburg Battlefield in PA. These trips were often educational, historical and gave the Eaton runners the opportunity to run against and become some of the best high school runners in the nation. Although Steve, himself, never raced he would encourage the kids by saying “Run one for me.”
In Steve’s final years, he and Janice were especially blessed.
Mindy graduated college, became a physical therapist, married Bob Brower and gave birth to Steve and Janice’s first grandchild, Carson (born 2004). Steve and Carson quickly became each other’s favorite person.
Ryan added to the blessed joy. He obtained a position with Henny Penny, married his wife, Danielle, and had Steve and Janice’s first granddaughter, Meredith (born 2007). Meredith was Steve’s treasure.
Blake was a continued source of pride for Steve and Janice. He excelled academically and athletically at Eaton High School. He was determining which college he would attend and was becoming the remarkable young man he is today.
Unfortunately Steve was taken too soon. Steve and Janice spent their last day working together and cheering on Blake as he raced in his senior year’s Eaton Cross Country Invitational. Many family members and friends joined them at the invitational that day.
Since Steve’s passing, Blake has graduated from IUE with a BS in Business Administration and from Anderson University with an MBA. Mindy and Bob have had a daughter Sydney, born in 2008. Ryan and Danielle have had a son Bryce, born in 2009.
Steve Pieratt had a true joy for life. He embraced the schools and community of Eaton, had a passion for sports and dearly loved his family and friends. Steve’s legacy lives, as does his place in our hearts.
“Run one for me!”- Steve Pieratt
The “Ratt” 5K Race/Walk is an annual event to honor Steve Pieratt and his many contributions to the children and athletes of the Eaton Community.
The proceeds of the “Ratt” Race benefit the Steve Pieratt Memorial Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are awarded annually to exceptional Eaton High School student-athletes bound for college. On behalf of the Steve Pieratt family and the Eaton Cross Country parent Organization, thank you for your contribution.
