R. Stephen "Steve" Dawson

Robert Stephen “Steve” Dawson, 82, of Coshocton, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

Steve was born in Coshocton, to the late Robert Truman and Doris Evelyn (Underwood) Dawson on October 21, 1942.

Steve attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Coshocton High School in 1960. He participated in the high school band and was drum major of the marching band his senior year. After graduation, attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. While there, he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and was the drum major at OWU marching band.

After two years, he went on to Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he graduated in 1964. He went on to join both his grandfather and father at Dawson Funeral Home in Coshocton.

While at the funeral home, he maintained the Dawson Ambulance service. During that time, he was recognized by the Coshocton County American Heart Association for becoming a CPR instructor, he was a first aid instructor for the American Red Cross Chapter and was a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician. Dawson Ambulance remained in service until 1976. Steve also served for 17 years as the First Lieutenant volunteer firefighter for the Coshocton City Fire Department until the reserves were dissolved. He enjoyed his time running the Dawson squad and the Coshocton Fire Department Hale Station.

He retired after 41 years at Given Dawson Funeral Home as an Embalmer and Funeral Director.

Steve was a founding member of the Coshocton County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, enjoyed the Archeology group at Schumaker’s Farm and was a lifetime member of the NRA. Steve loved deer season, especially when it was to go to the Titus's family cabin for deer camp with friends.

Steve is survived by his daughter Sherri (Tim) Matis of Fresno, Ohio; granddaughters Morgan and Sydney Matis of Kent, Ohio; brother David (Patty) Dawson of Crawfordville, Florida; niece Denise (Robbie) Graham of Orient, Ohio; step-mother Marilyn Dawson of Coshocton; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, Steve is preceded in death by his great nephew Drey Meine; aunts Louel (Bill) Williams and Louise (John “Bud”) Dawson.

Friends may call at The Miller Funeral Home, 639 Main St. Coshocton on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 4:00 PM – 6: 00 PM, where a funeral service for Steve will begin at 6:00 PM with Lloyd Tenney officiating.

After the service, a cremation will take place and a burial of his cremated remains will be held in the Dawson family burial plot at South Lawn Cemetery, Coshocton.

In lieu of flowers, Steve has requested that donations be made to the Coshocton County Chapter Ohio Geneaological Society, P.O. Box 128, Coshocton, Ohio 43812 and/or the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, 175 South Third St. STE 700, Columbus, Ohio 43215; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.