Mr. Steven Richard Bright of 2127 W. St. Rd. 110 Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at home. Steve was born in Rochester on March 28, 1947 to Richard W. and Frances R. Nellans Bright. Growing up he shared his childhood with his sister Joan. As a young boy, Steve grew to love life on the farm and began developing a solid work ethic. He helped his dad with the chores for the heifers, pigs and chickens. Steve was a member of the Richland Center High School Class of 1965, the last class to graduate before Richland Center consolidated with Rochester Community Schools. Following high school, Steve and Cheryl worked at R.R. Donnelly & Sons in Warsaw for a short period of time. On March 6, 1966, high school sweethearts, Steve married his best friend, Cheryl Lynn Hibner at the Richland Center United Methodist Church with Rev. Edward Miller officiating. This was the same church his grandparents Clair and Ruth Nellans attended, and his parents, Richard and Frances, were married in 1943. Their marriage of 46 years produced three children, Kendra, who was stillborn, Darrell and Stephanie. Over the years the family tree grew to include 5 grandchildren. Steve worked at Timbercrest in North Manchester from 1968 - 1971 while Cheryl attended Manchester College, earning her bachelors in elementary education, and was later awarded her Masters in Education. On Saturdays, Steve returned to help out with the family farming operation. In 1971 Steve joined his father as a full time farmer. Together they raised replacement heifers and fattened Hampshire hogs for twenty years. Each spring they planted a total of 1200 acres of wheat, corn and beans. Steve collected antique tractors. He completed major mechanical overhauls on two of his favorite tractors, his Cockshutt 30 and the John Deere B. Steve farmed with Internationals, John Deere, and Case equipment. A farmer for over four decades, Steve cultivated the friendships and garnered the respect of fellow farmers and business associates. He is remembered for good farm records, improvements made to the farm ground and always maintained to the highest level his farm equipment. One of Steve's strengths was his ability to strategically plan and organize the complete farming operation from planting season to the harvest. He embraced the challenges of improving productivity by employing the advice of his farm advisors, always on the cutting edge and blending family traditions with new ideas. Being meticulous, Steve enjoyed keeping his shop organized, the fence rows clean, and his trucks detailed and polished. An avid outdoorsman, Steve's favorite State Park camp sites were at Potato Creek, Mississinewa and Chain-o-Lakes. There was nothing better than being with friends, drinking coffee or making s'mores by the campfire, while under the starlit summer skies. His Walnut Church family, was paramount in Steve's eyes. Whether it was sharing some fun on a hayride, roasting hot dogs over the fire, going to Camp Mack or attending Sunday services at Walnut, they were a close knit group enjoying many good times together. His Christian walk included serving many years as church Deacon, working on various church boards and teaching Sunday School classes. He is remembered by his friends for his fair and consistent treatment of everyone. Each summer, Steve looked forward to the annual antique power shows in Rochester and Winamac. He listened to the music of the Gaithers and with enthusiasm watched the R.F.D. channel on TV. Steve was very proud of his Lionel model trains and toy collection. Steve will be lovingly remembered by his wife Cheryl, at home; a daughter, Stephanie Marquis & husband Sam of Amboy; a son, Darrell Bright & wife Dana of Rochester; 5 grandchildren: Wyatt, Claire, & Ethan Bright, and Madelyn and Alex Marquis; and a sister, Joan Kline & husband Keith of Bremen. Also surviving are his brothers-in-laws and sister-in-law: La Verne and Eileen Hibner, Plymouth, Dr. Dan Hibner, M.D. of Rochester, Don and Etta Hibner of Kewanna, Larry and Carol Smith of Rochester, and Dr. Robert and Chris Hibner, D.V.M. Green Valley, CA,as well as many loyal farming friends and his faithful Walnut Church family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Kendra Lea who was born into Heaven in 1975, and brother-in-law Joe Hibner. Rev. Robert Rice will officiate services, assisted by Valarie Kline. Interment will be at the Richland Center IOOF Cemetery.