CLAFLIN — Steven Dale Bilyew, 78, left us on May 21, 2026, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kan., with his daughter and son by his side.

Born May 2, 1948, in Great Bend, Kan., to Cloyd and Alene (Fankhauser) Bilyew. Steven graduated from Great Bend High School in 1966 and then received his B.S. in Industrial Technology from Pittsburg State University in 1970.

On April 29, 1978, he married Coleen Nettleingham in Hoisington, Kan. She preceded him in death on Dec. 4, 2018.

A resident of Claflin since 1981 moving from Great Bend, Steven worked as a measurement technician for Enron for 21 years. He then went to work for Fuller Brush as a quality control inspector retiring in 2013.

Steven was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, the Claflin Lions Club and Mid America Mopar’s formerly serving as president for both clubs for many years. He had a passion for muscle cars and restored several including a 1967 GTX. He loved Nascar, NHRA, and collected many die cast model cars. He also took up woodworking and made many cherished carvings for friends and family.

He is survived by his children, Cara Bilyew of Manhattan, and Scott Bilyew (Jennifer) along with grandchildren, Kaleb, Christopher, and Brianna Ramsey; and great-grandchildren, Kalina and Lorelei, all of Ft. Worth, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a brother Jim Bilyew.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, with family to greet friends from 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 28th, 2026, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Rev. Luke Brown presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Claflin EMS or Concordia Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

P.O. Box 146

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 26, 2026