Obituary – Stephen W. Cawelti

Stephen Wayne Cawelti of Newport passed from our midst on the morning of April 8 ^th , 2022. Born in December of 1938 to Florence and Donald Cawelti of Winnetka, Illinois, Stephen was raised in a family of three sons with brothers Jon and Gene. His father was an elementary school principal while his mother served as secretary for the Sunday School of a nearby church.

He attended public schools until he began studies at the University of Illinois, graduating with a degree in forestry. He subsequently served in the U.S. Army after which he worked in a variety of jobs in the forest industry. His work took him to various places in the U.S. When Steve returned to family gatherings in Illinois he usually brought along his guitar and a folded playlist in his pocket from which he invited requests. Many of his extended family still remember gathering around a bonfire while Steve led a sing-along as the sun set behind the nearby woods.

His work-related travels led him west where he furthered his education earning a master's degree in Wildland Management at Washington State University in Pullman. In the subsequent years he worked in the woods and mills of eastern Washington. With his beloved dogs as companions, Steve settled on a small acreage along the Pend Oreille River where he raised a garden and occasional livestock. His was a simple life that emphasized the basics. He had a workshop where he crafted his own gadgets and tools and household items. He also carved hundreds of wooden toys and other items that he gave as gifts. Steve was a lifelong learner, devoted to documentaries and widely read.

Although he was a quiet soul, he was active in the Newport community. He was involved in the local Democratic party. He was a longtime member of Northwoods Performing Arts, performing with them for years as well as serving on their board. He was also a fixture at American Lutheran Church, and his faith was the bedrock of his life. Stephen was generous and kind and intelligent and a good friend to many. He is deeply missed.

Stephen is survived by his brother Jon in Louisville, Kentucky and his sister-in-law Barbara in Tucson, Arizona. The family extends its deepest thanks to the staff at River Mountain Village for their caring ways during Stephen's late years.

Services will be held at American Lutheran Church, 332801 Highway 2 in Newport on May 21st at 10:00am.