Steve Pike was born Steven Eugene Yanchunis, April 21, 1951 in Sioux City, Iowa. Before school he was given Steven Eugene Pike by Robert Lee Pike and mom, Mary Jane. Steve left to live forever with the God he loved on Sunday morning October 25, 2026. He attended Peterson grade school near his home in southend Council Bluffs. Next was Abraham Lincoln High, Council Bluffs. He was first chair clarinetist in their large band, won debate, chess and golf honors, even played football. Steve graduated in a large class among the few with Highest Honors and was chosen to give the Valedictory address at Graduation in 1969. Steve was a skillful pitcher (one no-hitter) on 2 softball teams: one his father coached and later in college. He was a natural athlete, quickly picking up tennis (then instructing), ping pong, golf, basketball and softball. He loved trivia, barbecuing, weight lifting, walking, new tech, flowers, making pie and salad dressing, for his family and metal detecting in God’s great outdoors. Musically, he played the piano and the guitar (self-taught) with dexterity and creativity then taught anyone interested. His college piano instructor called him gifted and encouraged a career in music.

 Steve chose to serve the Lord in ministry. Vera Moore, he affectionately called Granny, had a priceless role in caring for his family and his upbringing in Christian faith. He attended Southside Christian Church. A student from Bible college, Dennis Olsen, became his youth minister one summer. He encouraged Steve to play on the church softball team to earn a trip to Nebowa church camp. He gave his life to Christ during this time. In a church service he decided to go to Bible college (comparing it to the camp experience) after singing “I’m So Happy in the Service of the King”. Steve earned his own way through college with academic scholarships and hard work at Co. Bluffs Walnut Log, the Nonpareil, and McCollister Oil. In Norfolk he was janitor at Woolworths and unloaded boxcars of potatoes along with Sunday’s student ministry. College was spent at Nebraska Christian (NCC) and Northeast Nebraska Community College in Norfolk. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Ministerial Degree (Pastoral) in 1973 and returned for a 5th year Bachelor of Theology Degree with Christian Education emphasis. With those, he won the Progress Award and highest academic honors, the Dean’s Cup at graduation, May 1974. On April 16, 1973 Steve married Eloise Reeves (of Madison, Nebraska). They served the Lord side-by-side happily in church activities: youth group, music, counseling and teaching; a good team. Serving the Lord as a pastor began as an NCC Student Minister at Church of Christ, Tilden, Nebraska. After graduation he took the position at Cheyenne Wells Christian Church on the desert plains of Colorado before pastoring at Martelle Christian Church, Iowa, from 1977 to 2011, over 33 years. In 2011 beautiful, musical Monticello became their new home and a new ministry began with Refuge Christian Church, Anamosa, Iowa, until a stroke ended his career. He entered care facilities in July 2018. God made a way to move to the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon where he received excellent, compassionate care until his transition to be with Jesus that Sunday morning. Caregivers described him as a strong man with a tender heart. His care often caused pain, but he always greeted them with compliments and blessed them with a pat on the arm and a quiet, “You did a good job”. Steve delighted in teaching youth group and children. He encouraged and guided adults to grow in church service. His teaching sermons paired Bible scripture with relatable life experiences to clearly understand how to come to Jesus and live that daily. Steve inherited his mother’s joy of bringing laughter to people, the art of words with books, and a heart as defender of those mistreated and less fortunate, especially children like the child sponsored through Living Water Christian Mission. His father taught him priceless basic skills with cars, love of country music, and work to provide for family. Steve was a strong encourager to his wife, Eloise, for everything she loved to do. They shared a love for travel to national parks (she was his GPS), music of all kinds (especially hymns), their cats, flowers and birds that hatched outside his Lisbon window then loved playing in the mulch. His desire has always been for all those that he touched to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior so to be with him in heaven, joyfully living forever together!

Steve was preceded in death by his father Robert, Granny Vera More, and nephews Joey Pike and Tracy Brunow, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Kenneth and Edith Reeves and brother-in-law David Reeves. He leaves behind those he loves: in Monticello his wife Eloise, in Council Bluffs his mother Mary Jane, sisters Janice, Diane and Denny Garrison, Karen and Jack Brunow, brother-in-law Val Rocha, and in Warsaw, Missouri his brother Robert William Pike, in Utah Marlene (David) Reeves, in Montana Mark and Diane (Reeves) Knox and in Nebraska Duane Reeves, and Don and Sue Reeves, with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He would add so many in the church family, friends, and youth he mentored and loved. 

Steve’s life will be remembered at an informal gathering November 7 at Grace Christian Fellowship at Fairview, the corner of highway 1 & 151. 1 pm is Visitation. 1:30 begins a time of sharing one thing that enriched your life because Steve allowed God to work in his life. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” ~ Philippians 1:21 “Only one life ‘twill soon be passed. Only what’s done for Christ will last. -- C. T. Studd Memorials may be sent to Come Rest Ministries, P.O. Box 11010, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-1010 or Living Water Christian Mission, PO Box 795, Moberly, MO