Steven J. Anthony

Steven John Anthony, 72, the eldest and favorite child of the late Rose and Jack Anthony (it’s true, just ask his siblings), was welcomed into the arms of his savior on June 14, 2026 at Mount Carmel Hospital in Grove City, Ohio.

Born in Columbus, Ohio in 1953, Steve spent most of his childhood in Chillicothe in the Brewer Heights neighborhood. He graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1971 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in finance from The Ohio State University in 1975. He spent 33 years as an employee at Kenworth Truck Company, first in the accounting department and then in the materials planning department, and spent fifteen tax seasons as a CPA at Caldwell, Neal & Ott.

Steve was a kind and affable man, always happy to go along to get along–unless you overstayed your welcome at his house, at which point he’d give you a sarcastic smile and a few taps on his watch. He often joked with his wife, Vicki, that she had to drag him into getting married and having a child, but also said earnestly that those were the two best things to ever happen to him. He was a devoted husband to Vicki for 50 years, an incredible father to his daughter, Katie (and father-in-law to her husband, Eddie), and a doting Papaw to his two precious granddaughters, Ruby and Vivian, whom he loved to take to the candy shop in downtown Chillicothe.

Steve was a gearhead at heart: whether it was rebuilding classic cars with his dad, racing dirt bikes with his brother and their friends, taking long afternoon drives in his prized Corvette Stingray with Vicki and the members of the Southern Ohio Corvette Club, or going on vacation golf cart rides with his granddaughters, he was a fan of anything with wheels. He was also a certified “dog guy” who adored canines of all kinds, but especially his late yellow lab Gizmo, who crossed the rainbow bridge in 2021. He spent many hours volunteering at the Ross County Humane Society, sitting with the dogs, giving them treats, and keeping them company. A faithful man of God, Steve was a longtime congregant of Walnut Street United Methodist Church, where he served as a greeter and a volunteer at the soup kitchen.

Of all of Steve’s many hobbies, passions, and interests, none were more important to him than spending time with his family and friends. He could often be found sitting quietly on the periphery of gatherings in his signature baseball cap and black Converse All Stars, laughing along with the conversation and watching Ruby and Vivian play.

In addition to his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters, Steve is survived by his brother, Jeff (Vicki) Anthony; his sister, Staci (Steve) Siddall; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Walnut Street United Methodist Church, 16 S Walnut Street, Chillicothe, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am. There will be a Celebration of Life gathering at The Golf Barn, 1403 Sulphur Lick Road, Frankfort, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Steve’s legacy with a donation to the Ross County Humane Society.