Steven E. Layton
April 27, 2011
Steven E. Layton, 59, of Ankeny, finished his journey on earth and reported for duty at the pearly gates on Wednesday, April 27th. A memorial service to celebrate Steve’s life will be held Saturday, April 30th, at 10 a.m., at the Freedom Center, 7105 NW 70th Avenue, on Camp Dodge in Johnston, with burial to follow at Moeckly Cemetery located 100 yards north of NW 118th Avenue, on the east side of NW 44th Street; east of Polk City. Family members will greet people at 9 a.m. at the Freedom Center prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Knight Templar Eye Foundation, in care of the Des Moines York Rite, 519 Park Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Arrangements are with Hamilton’s Funeral Home.
Family left to cherish Steve’s memories include his wife, Stacy, his son Ted and wife Emily of Leon, stepson Kyle and wife Melanie Trusty of Bondurant, stepson Sam Trusty and friend Christina Conway of Ankeny, grandchildren Maggie and Dean Layton of Leon, Jacob and Mackenzie Trusty of Bondurant, Gage Trusty of Ankeny; his father and mother, Cliff and Nadine Layton, his sister and brother-in-law, Denise and Steve Bogle, his brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Marla Layton, and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. Steve’s family meant the world to him, especially his grandchildren.
Steve was a free spirit who was full of life and was happiest when he was being of service to others. Steve fulfilled his desire to serve early in life as a Des Moines Police Officer and as the Sheriff of Decatur County. Later he was a dairy farmer in Decatur County and although he no longer lived in the area he continued to help out many of his family and friends in that community. Steve was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Operative Lodge 308, in Polk City, where he was currently serving as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge, and was also a member of the Scottish Rite and York Rite.
After war broke out in Bosnia, Steve volunteered to be a member of the first missionary group that was allowed into the country. Steve used his many handyman skills to initiate the rebuilding of schools and other needed infrastructure in Bosnia. Upon his return to the U.S., Steve continued his service to the Bosnian people through involvement with the settling of immigrants who came to central Iowa to start anew. Steve developed many close friendships through his efforts with the Bosnian people who now call Iowa home.
Steve had many hobbies throughout his life to include sail boating, motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, craftsman, and being a “Mr. Fix-It” for anyone who needed something repaired. Through these hobbies he developed many enduring friendships and found more opportunities to satisfy his desire to serve others. Steve was employed as a school bus driver for the Ankeny School District, but he never really considered it work as it provided him an opportunity to interact with young people and mentor them to follow a path to be proud and productive citizens of their community. Steve was also a coach for the Ankeny High School trap shooting team and spent numerous hours teaching young people how to safely and responsibly handle firearms. Steve loved to hunt and fish and for many years his constant companion was his Labrador, Sherman and when Sherman went on ahead to scout the fields in Heaven, Steve took his Labrador, Amanda, and his German Shorthair, Daisy. Steve worked them every day in the field, and during hunting season they helped provide many culinary delights for family and friends.
Steve was a member or affiliated with many organizations to include the Patriot Guard Riders, ABATE, Isaac Walton League, Pheasants Forever, and for many years he served as a motorcycle safety instructor at Des Moines Area Community College.
(Continued)
Clarence Waddell
05/01/2011
So very sorry to hear of Steve's death. I just got this message from a friend in Leon.
I served under Steve on the Decatur Co. Sheriff's Dept. We had a great friendship as well as a fun working relationship. I left the S.O. in June 1984 and had since lost track of Steve. I went on to serve for several years in Atlantic and Griswold, Iowa and retired in 2007. I have thought about him many times over the years.
I too am a Master Mason, Cass Lodge 412 of Griswold, Iowa. I was so pleased to find Steve was also involved in the Masonic Lodge. As a brother Mason however, this make the loss even more painful.
I am so pleased to hear that Steve went on to do so many extrodanary & magnificant humatarian deeds. He always had a huge heart.
My fondest memories of Steve are when we would go out and "scavage" old horse drawn equipment out of the brush and drag it to his farm. We had a ball!
Our prayers to Stacy, Ted and the rest of the family. Wish I could have been there to see him off to Heaven. May God continue to Bless his soul.
Clarence & Jan Waddell
203 Manna Vista, Ln.
Griswold, Iowa. 51535
jwaddell@netins.net
Anne Michael
04/30/2011
My husband, USMC Viet Nam, was killed in an auto accident on August 1, 2006. I will never forget the presence of the Patriot Guard and the sound of the bagpipe at his funeral. It was as if God had sent them to honor my husband. It meant more to me than words will ever express. Mr. Layton will have a place of honor in heaven.
steve sinnotts family
04/29/2011
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, FOR THE TIME YOUR HUSBAND,FATHER,GRANDPA GAVE TO PLAY THE BAGPIPES FOR SO MANY. HE PLAYED AT MY FATHERS FUNERAL MARCH 21ST. WHEN WE CAME OUT OF CHURCH, SEEING HIM STAND THERE PLAYING HIS PIPES BROUGHT FIRST TEARS TO OUR EYES, THEN WE LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN AND KNEW DAD WAS SMILING DOWN AT ALL OF US, AND THAT IS THE MEMORY WE HAVE AND WILL CHERISH FOREVER. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OUR WITH YOUR FAMILY
Roger Frakes
04/29/2011
A true friend to everyone, R. I. P. God be with your family.
Mark and Marleen Slatterly
04/29/2011
Stacy and family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We will always remember Steve at the lake on Shameless. He was a good guy.
Adrian Jordison
04/29/2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to all who loved him. I had the honor of meeting Steve Layton through Emily and Ted Layton. I remember Steve Layton very well and was very gracious he was able to live on the memory of my grandfather. Thank you Steve, you will also live on in my memory! Peace be with the family.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Tara Porche (mother of Matt Porche)
04/28/2011
My condolences to all of you. I only met Steve once but the care and concern he showed my son during Matt's first trap meet (in awful weather) displayed exactly what you wrote of Steve. He smiled and told Matt "everything will be okay, just have fun." His willingness to help and mentor the children and us non-hunting parents, spoke volumes of his caring and giving nature. He will be missed. My your faith and good memories help you through your times of sorrow.
Brian Seymour, Fire Chief
04/28/2011
What a sad day..... I was able to know Steve through our honor guard activities with the Indianola Fire Department. Steve was my go to guy when we needed the bagpipes at one of these services. Steve you will be greatly missed for sure. May God bless you and your family and God watch over them so you can be reunited with them once again. Rest in peace my friend.
Jennifer Hart (Mother of Logan Grant)
04/28/2011
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Layton family. Steve was very helpful in the Ankeny Trap Club to my daughter and all the new kids. He gave encouragement and was very helpful with parents concerns/questions we had. He will be missed. I only knew Steve for a short time, but got to hear lots of great stories that he shared with my husband and I about hunting, his dogs and being with his brother.
Rodney and Janice Halverson
04/28/2011
Stacy and family -
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a wonderful friend as well as Masonic Brother.
I'm certain I heard bagpipes coming from Heaven today.
Fraternally -- Brother Rod and Janice
Lonnie and Ronda Greenfield
04/28/2011
Rest in Peace dear Brother....We have travelled over many a road together and your tales of travel will be with me until we met again...A True Patriot you have been ... God's speed