Stephen W. McCracken

Stephen Wayne McCracken, 79, of Bonita Springs, Florida and Carmel, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, after an 8-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Steve enjoyed a blessed and enviable life. He was born August 2, 1942, to the late Harry McCracken and Mary (Turk) McCracken and was raised in the town of Haughville on the westside of Indianapolis, IN. He attended (formerly) The Latin School of Indianapolis and then Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology before moving onto Marian University. In his youth, Steve had fond memories of riding bikes with friends as far as Eagle Creek and Holliday Park. He liked to treat his family to Long’s Donuts on Friday mornings after his paper route. Once, Steve scored 30 points in a KSKJ basketball game which he believed was the reward from the “basketball gods” for his hard work shining the court the night before. Steve met his wife Jan at Marian University and they were married in 1962, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church. They enjoyed over 59 years together. After his retirement they spent their summers in Indiana,  having nearly 20 years at Lake Wawasee, and their winters in Bonita Springs, FL. Steve was an active member in the Barefoot Beach community and The Barefoot Beach Club. He also enjoyed traveling with Jan around the United States and Europe. Steve was an avid golfer, shooting his age every year in his 70’s. He was thrilled to hit his very first hole-in-one in June, 2021 and there were even witnesses to prove it. Steve loved every kind of basketball. cowboy westerns, and a good Rob Roy up. He was meticulous, had beautiful handwriting, and was an adept handyman. Always immersed in an obsession, he amassed an impressive Dickens Village collection over the years, he learned photography and darkroom techniques, he made crepes, he shared slideshows of his travels, he loved puzzles. And he was a sharp dresser, no one had a style quite like Steve. Steve graduated from Marian University in 1964, with a B.S. in Biology. He retired after a long and distinguished 33-year career at Eli Lilly where he started as a bench chemist and retired as the Director of Worldwide Procurement. He was proud of his work at Lilly and grateful for the opportunities it provided. He enjoyed the many benefits of great friendships and extensive travel experiences including a two-year assignment in Cork, Ireland. Steve truly felt his greatest legacy was the family he created with Jan, in the lives and doings of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As a Dad, Steve vociferously supported his four daughters in their sports and education. He made pancakes almost every weekend. He was generous with his love and easy with his forgiveness. As a Granddad, he was always quick with a nickname and a joke. He let the kids drive his boats. He shared his love of golf with all his grandkids, teaching them to hit balls from a young age. He was exceedingly proud of his 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, Janice M. (Rocchio) McCracken, daughters Elizabeth Ann (Dr. James) Callahan, Dr. Emily Marie (Richard) King, Marisa Lynn McCracken (James Dawson), Courtney Irene McCracken (Zachary Dobson); grandchildren Dr. Tyler Callahan, Trey (Julie) Callahan, Gabriel Callahan, Harrison (Madeline) King, Trevor King, T. Holden King, Johnny King, Calvin King, Andrew Dawson, Rachel Dawson, Henry Dobson, Louisa Dobson, Neve Dobson, Jett Dobson, and Townes Dobson and great-grandchildren Sydney Callahan, Sophie Callahan, Ruth Callahan, and George Callahan, sisters Nancy Baxter, Sister Jacquelyn McCracken, Marilyn (John) Doyle and brother Harry (Kris) McCracken, many nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. Stephen was preceded in death by his sister Janice Burger, his brother John, his sister-in-law Laura McCracken, and his brother-in-law Jack Baxter. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 4-7pm at Flanner Buchanan in Carmel, with Rosary and Remembrances at 7pm.  A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with visitation at the church from 9am-10am followed by a Pre-Service Eulogy at 10:15am. In Steve’s memory please consider a gift to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) or The Stephen and Jan Rocchio McCracken Endowed Scholarship through Marian University (marian.edu/give). To view Steve’s funeral tribute video or to share fond memories and expressions of sympathy please go to https://flannerbuchanan.com/obit/stephen-w-mccracken/. To view the livestream of Steve's service please click here