Steven Craig Christlieb

Steven Craig Christlieb, 73 of Emporia, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2023 at Flint Hills Nursing Center.

Steve was born April 20, 1950 in Chase County, Kansas the son of Elmer and Esther Potter Christlieb. He attended Emporia High School where he graduated with the Class of 1968.

Steve was joined in marriage to Rhonda Carpenter on December 21, 1968 in Emporia. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 13, 1970. His service took him to several different assignments on the way to earning a honorable discharge on April 4, 1974 at Hickam Air Force Base on Oahu Hawaii.

Steve and Rhonda returned to Emporia where He took a job at Dolly Madison. Within a few years his love for autobody work led him to open his own shop in Emporia. In 1980 they moved to western Kansas and he began working for Slawson Drilling. He would later work in Scott City as a auto body repair technician at Paul’s Welding. In 1988 they moved back to Emporia and put his skills to work at Thurston’s Auto Body. Steve would end his career as a truck driver, traveling with Rhonda across the country. In 2005 he retired after 10 years of driving due to health concerns.

Steve loved everything automotive and built custom hot rods as a hobby. His hobby grew into building and racing a drag car in the mid 1970’s.

Steve will live on in the hearts and memories of his wife, Rhonda of their home in Emporia; a daughter, Stephanie Tatman and her husband Tim of Emporia; a son, Shannon Christlieb and his wife Julie of Olathe; three sisters, Carol Sue McWithey of Emporia, Linda Kay Crisp of Emporia and Tina Marie Bolton of Virginia; a brother Dennis Christlieb and his wife Rachel of Texas; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous extended family and a community of friends. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Cassandra Anne Christlieb in1972 as well as his parents, Elmer and Esther.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory in Lebo. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place at Chicago Mound Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Emporia Animal Shelter and sent in care of the funeral home.