The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Joseph S. "Steve" Sanchez, 68, passed away Sunday evening, January 12, 2014, from his Grand Coulee home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Following graduation from high school and attending college, twenty-one-year-old Steve married Janet Bury in Spokane on June 18, 1966. From 1969 to 1996 Steve worked in Grand Coulee Dam Operations, retiring as a dispatcher. Following retirement, he worked for the irrigation district in Coulee City for seven summers.

A member of St. Henry's Catholic Church of Grand Coulee, Washington, Steve enjoyed model planes, loved target shooting, spending time in the out-of-doors and riding motorcycles. Above all, Steve's greatest joy and love in life was spending time with his family, particularly at picnics and playing endless games of baseball in which he was always the last family member to leave the field.

Predeceased by both of his parents: Stephen J. and Josephine Sanchez, Steve's legacy lives on through his beloved wife of 47 years Janet Sanchez; daughter Sherri Sarvis (Bill); sons: Richard Sanchez (Beth) and Michael Sanchez (Dawn); grandchildren: Jessica Maiers, Victoria Maiers, Sophia Sanchez, Megan Sarvis and Gavin Sarvis; sisters: Yvonne Liang and Gloria Robbins as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

At Steve's request, cremation has taken place with a celebration of his life to be held at Saint Henry's Catholic Church on February 8, at 11 a.m.

Steve's family requests any donations be made in Steve's memory to support research of "Familial Adenomatous Polyposis" through either the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/index or the Mayo Clinic at https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC .

Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee is honored to be serving Steve's Family.