Retired Lt. Colonel Stephen Louis Rapier, son of Sylvester Rapier and Margaret Jaegers was born, October 28, 1947, in Decatur, Illinois. He departed this life, January 5, 2026, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of seventy-eight years, two months and eight days.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Darelene Rapier; sisters, Ann Pizinger and Sylvia Rapier; brothers-in-law, Raymond Pizinger and Ralph Struzina; his niece Micala Christie Hicks Siler; and his former wife and mother of his children, Yolanda Rapier.

He is survived by his children, Vanessa Rapier and David Rapier (Chastity); sister, Stephanie Struzina; brother, William Rapier (Melanie); sister, Celeste Hicks (Michael); two grandchildren, Alexa Findley (Levi), and Abigail Rapier; many nieces and nephews; and a close friend Jimanna Southern and her family: April Loftis, Alexis Warden, Zander Warden, Nova Cunningham, and Blaklie Warden.

Stephen was raised in a strict Catholic family. He enjoyed sports and was also in charge of chaperoning double dates with his sister Stephanie. After staying with family friends to finish his senior year, he graduated high school from Piqua, Ohio. He then joined the family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and had a draft deferral to attend college until he was in a serious car accident and had to drop out. Stephen was then drafted.  He attended Officer Training School and served four tours in Vietnam. At some point of the war, he was a "birddog" observer for forward artillery strikes on enemy positions. Stephen was proud of the Silver Star he was awarded for saving his men from a bombed building while under fire by the enemy.

Stephen met his first wife, Yolanda in Australia while on R&R during the war. They eventually bought a house and settled the family at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri while he served at Ft. Leonard, MO; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; and did a year abroad in Turkey as the Commandant of the U.S. Nuclear Arsenal. Steve retired after serving 20 years.

After retiring from the Army, Stephen started out working for a private military contractor, then changed gears and began selling insurance. This was when he met his second wife Darelene. After living in Kansas City for some time, they moved to their home in Peck, Kansas. Stephen had a mortgage and construction company, while Darelene continued selling insurance. Once retiring completely, Stephen cared for Darelene who had MS. After her death, Stephen spent his time watching his shows and his many cats and dogs.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, January 31st beginning at 1:00pm at Council Hill Cemetery in Peck, Kansas.

Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus, Wichita, Ks.