Obituary: Steven Leroy Doolittle
Steven Leroy Doolittle was born on February 9, 1947, in Shenandoah, IA to Clyde and Lucille (Mutchler) Doolittle. Shortly after the passing of his mother and 2 younger brothers Steve, went to live with Clifford and Ethel (Still) Doolittle and their 3 boys Roy, Larry, and Melvin at the farm.
When Uncle Sam came calling, Steve decided to volunteer to join the United States Air Force where he was an airplane mechanic. Steve was such an Iowa country boy that when they said he would be stationed at Dover Air Force Base, he had to look it up on an atlas as he had no idea it was on the east coast of the U.S. While in Delaware, he met the love of his life, Janice, and her first-born son Jeffrey. The two married February 18, 1968. Together they had 2 more children, Michele and Mark.
Although Steve worked at the rock quarry, the feed store in Mount Ayr, and roofed houses with his brothers in NE, most of his working career; he was an auto mechanic. And not just any mechanic; he was A.S.E. certified in several areas. This wealth of knowledge came in handy when his sons got older and dabbled in racing. As his sons had sons of their own, they came knocking on Pop-Pop’s door. Can you help me would be the question and the answer was always yes!
He enjoyed his granddaughters just as much. He would sneak Stephanie out to go to Wendy’s when Janice was at work to get a frosty and fries if she promised not to tell Mom.
When Steve wasn’t helping the boys or spoiling the girls, he enjoyed a good western on TV. A hilarious comedy would bring him to a fit of coughing from laughing so hard.
He took the greatest pride in his home, especially his yard. You could always see him on his mower every weekend, it was nice out. Sundays were reserved for him and Janice to go eat breakfast and the weekly Walmart run where his beloved dogs would always seem to get some kind of treat brought home to them.
Steve is survived by his children Jeff (Jody) Doolittle, Osceola, IA, Michele (Rick) Jackson, Laurens, IA, Mark Doolittle, Kellerton, IA; his grandchildren Stephanie (Justin) Weig, Laurens, IA, Jeffery (Lacy) Doolittle, Diagonal, IA, Emilianne Doolittle (George Thompson III) Dover, DE, Cody (Morgan Quick) Doolittle, Redding, IA, Kraig Doolittle, Osceola, IA, Dustin (Sarah) Pritchett, LeMars, IA, Breea (Justin) Parkhurst, Blythedale, MO, Richard Jackson III, Laurens, IA, and Chase Doolittle of Osceola, IA; his many great grandchildren Hayden, Kendall, and Mateo Weig, Jaylynn and Jaxson Doolittle, Karson Johnson, Ayuri and George Thompson IV, Violet Garcia, Reegan Doolittle, Karter and Jace Doolittle, Carter and Kadin Jenness, Jade Jenness-Cunningham, Kaden, Georgia and Winston Pritchett, Alivia Parkhurst, Gabriel Obermeier and Colt Parkhurst; his brother Larry (Beth) Doolittle, Redding, IA and many nieces and great nieces and nephews.
Steve passed away on March 29, 2026. He is preceded in death by his wife Janice; his parents Clyde, Lucille, Clifford and Ethel Doolittle; his older brothers Roy Doolittle and Melvin (Judy) Doolittle; his younger brothers David and Harry Doolittle; his great granddaughter Aubri Thompson and his beloved pet Buddy.
Services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr. Special songs were Save The Roses, Thank You for Being My Dad, I Wish Grandpas Never Died, and Father’s and Daughters. Casketbearers include Dustin Pritchett, Richard Jackson III, Kraig Doolittle, Jeffery Doolittle, Cody Doolittle, and Chase Doolittle. Honorary Pallbearers were Justin Weig and Justin Parkhurst. The US Air Force Honor Guard and the Ringgold County American Legion performed the military honors at the cemetery. Burial was in the Elk Cemetery in rural Decatur County. A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided.
