Stephen Hiaeshutter

Stephen John Hiaeshutter, age 64, of Grand Rapids, peacefully passed away in his home surrounded by the love of his family as the sun rose on Sunday, November 29, 2020. He gallantly fought and gracefully lost a 6 year battle with colon cancer. He was born February 10, 1956, in Grand Rapids, to James Hiaeshutter and Abbie Weller. On July 3 1999, he married Christine M. Connell, and celebrated 21 years of life and laughs with her. Stephen graduated from Forest Hills Central High School and attended Grand Rapids Community College before dedicating 27 years to Amway as a Sales Leader. During his tenure, he travelled the world commanding rooms, uplifting spirits and inspiring business owners. Later in life, ever the consummate salesman, he spent another 10 years in sales management at Art Van. There, he found fulfillment coaching and mentoring teams of younger talent across multiple stores. Outside of work, you could find him on Long Lake, driving his boat with any number of family members on skis and tubes in tow. Even after his cancer diagnosis in 2015, you could still catch him dropping a ski and showing off. His athleticism didn't stop there; for decades, he religiously played basketball where he earned the nickname, "Hi-shooter." When he did rest, he did it watching a classic film or television show like Star Wars, Star Trek and Hogans Heros with a big bowl of popcorn. Of all of his hobbies, his most cherished was anything related to his family. He cheered them on at games, recitals, graduations and in work achievements. He made sure every birthday and holiday was marked in a special way. He organized water gun and silly string fights and played countless games of cards. He leaves behind his bride of 21 years, Chris, his children: Jason (Stephanie) Hiaeshutter, Michelle (Curt) Beenen, Heather Cawthorne, Kati (Steve) Regester and Mandy Tikkanen; his grandchildren: Megan, Michael, Stephen, Makenzie, Kaden, Morgan, Tyler, Lucas, Sierra, Connor, Leevi and Lucy. According to Stephen, this family was his greatest legacy and they each will continue to make him proud and carry on his spirit. He is preceded in death by his parents: Abbie Weller and James Hiaeshutter. It gives his family great solace to know that, in death, he was reunited with his best friend, Calvin Laufer and that he'll have his dad and greatest motorcycle partner at his side, as he rides throughout the great beyond. He was a captain, a mentor and a leader to many and while he is no longer there to guide, he was at peace, knowing his family and friends would continue along a path he helped pave. Per his wishes, his body has been cremated and his spirit, which remains ever present, will be honored at a later date. Details on his "Celebration of Life" to follow in 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lemmen Holten Cancer Center (https://give.spectrumhealth.org/donations) to honor the nurses and doctors who became a second family as he valiantly fought his fight. To send a message of sympathy or share a memory of this great man, his family asks you to please sign Stephen's online guest book by visiting: www.michigancremation.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen Hiaeshutter, please visit our flower store.