Obituary: Richard Zigmund Stepka, 37 of Ludington

June 1, 2026

Ricky Stepka

Richard Zigmund Stepka, 37 of Ludington, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Richard, affectionately known as Ricky or Slick, was born on Dec. 16, 1988, in Ludington, to Richard A. Stepka and Pamela S. (Sandlin) Gilbert. Ricky graduated from Mason County Eastern High School in 2007 and went on to earn his journeyman status in welding. He worked for 16 years at Great Lakes Casting.

Ricky was a chief steward of UAW Local 1464 and a member of the Oceana Eagles.

Known for his outgoing, generous, loving, fun, kind, and fiercely passionate nature, Ricky touched the lives of many around him.

Ricky’s love for his children was unparalleled, but closely following was his passion for baseball. He was an active member of several teams, including the Burnouts, Bateson Oil, and the Michigan Hype state team. His enthusiasm for the sport also led him to participate in numerous tournaments such as Cancer Crushers and CAN/AM (which is a Canadian and American team), showcasing his competitive spirit and camaraderie.

Beyond the baseball diamond, Ricky was an avid outdoorsman. He cherished the times he could engage in deer hunting, whether it was with a bow, rifle, or muzzleloader, embracing the tranquility and challenge of the outdoors.

He will be deeply missed by his daughters Alexis and Briana; mother and stepfather Pam and Todd Gilbert; brother Alan (Jennifer Segelstrom) Stepka and their children; stepbrother Sean (Kali) Gilbert and their two boys; stepsisters Noel (Eric) Shafer and their three kids and Maura Gilbert and her three kids; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Ricky was preceded in death by his father Richard A. Stepka and his sister Kaleena Ray Stepka.

A celebration of Ricky’s life will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Powell Memorial Park (also known as Eagles Park), 3300 N. Sherman Road, Hamlin Township.

Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.GraceCremations.com

 

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