It is with deep sadness that we announce Steven Douglas Root passed away on the morning of April 23, 2026. 

Steven was born at Borgess hospital in Kalamazoo, MI on August 18, 1953 to his mother Marjorie Root. He was then adopted and raised by his grandparents Clarence Barnard Root and Helen Lucille Ames since Marjorie was a young mom. He grew up in the Kalamazoo area and attended and graduated from Comstock High School.

On June 30, 1978 Steven married the love of his life Diane Lynn Root (LaCoss). Soon after they began to grow their family and had their first son Michael David Root on April 28, 1980 and their second son Matthew Paul Root on October 13, 1983. 

Steve, Diane and the boys lived in various places while Steve was serving in the United States Army. They include Virginia, Ft. Ord California and Ft. Lewis Washington. Steve was also in Alaska for a short time. In 1992 Steve was honorably discharged and they moved to Paw Paw MI, for a year then they moved to the Kalamazoo area. 

Steve worked in various places over the years including factory work, truck driving, and Indian Trails where he traveled the country  transporting various groups to their destinations.

Steve enjoyed cooking and made his famous baked beans by request to many special occasions. He also loved spending time with his family playing games, going to family gatherings, fishing with his brother in-law David, playing cards, camping, going to the race track and most of all singing with his two boys in the Kalamazoo Mall City Voices and the Grand Rapids Great Lakes Chorus. Steve, Mike and Matt joined the Mall City Voices in the mid 1990’s after being introduced to barbershop music by his brother in-law David. In 2015 Steve, Mike and Matt joined the Great Lakes Chorus. They have won a few district championships and began traveling with the chorus while they represented the Pioneer District in the international competition. They made the trip to compete in Pittsburgh PA, Nashville TN, Las Vegas NV, Orlando FL, Louisville KY, and Cleveland OH. Steve will be missed deeply by his family, including all of his brothers and sisters in the barbershop harmony family. 

Steve is survived by his two children Michael (Lorinda) Root, Matthew Root, Grandkids Jaisen, Brayden, Liam, Emmy, and Kristofer, Siblings Ron (Bobbi) Morgan, Sibling in-laws Debra and David Dolph, Dale, Dan and Lori LaCoss and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Diane L. Root, grandparents Clarence B. Root and Helen L. Ames, parents Marjorie (Root) Rees and Max Rees and sister in-law Susan LaCoss.

There will be a service at Galesburg United Congregational Church on Saturday June 13, 2026 at Noon followed by a luncheon in the basement of the church.