Stephen James Joseph was born on his mother’s 29th birthday and was the most fitting ending to his group of six siblings: Laurie, Kevin, Suzie, Brian, and Becky.

A very contented and happy child, Steve was the apple of his family’s eye, universally loved by friends and neighbors. He was one of those rare folks who did not ever seem to encounter strangers – only friends that he had not yet met.

Steve graduated from Dansville High School in 1994 and worked at Pizza Hut in Mason for several years. When delivering pizzas became too dangerous because of his back, he began working at Peckham Industries in Lansing, answering phones at a call center for the U.S. passport office.

He had always dealt with back issues, ulti­mately leading to surgery to remove a tumor at the top of his spine when he was 21. After that surgery, his spinal column continued to deteriorate – resisting all other types of medical intervention and culminating in the loss of balance and the ability to walk.

Incredibly, Steve never lost his hilarious sense of humor or his innate good nature. He was positive and upbeat throughout his life, often replying, whenever he was asked how he was doing, “Still the same, I guess.”

Steve is survived and will be forever missed by his dad, Larry Joseph; sisters and brothers: Laurie (Stephen) Demers, Kevin (Tina) Joseph, Suzanne (Matthew) Wiborn, Brian (Angela) Joseph, and Rebecca (Brad) Brookens; and numerous nieces and nephews – to each of whom he was completely devoted. He was predeceased by his mother, Roberta Kay (Cooper) Joseph.