Steven Randall Couchman, 76, of Niles, MI passed away on Feb. 22, 2025.
Steve was born on Feb. 26, 1948 to Randall and Betty (Runyon) Couchman in Niles and was the oldest of their five children. He graduated from Buchanan High School and was a member of the 1965 state championship football team before attending Ferris State University.
Outside of his work in tool and die throughout the Michiana area, Steve could be found near a softball field, on the water, or in his garage. He was an umpire for many years, then faithfully followed both daughters through their athletic careers, rooting for the team on the sidelines, warming up the pitcher before the game, or raking the infield. He continued his support for the Buchanan High School softball team, traveling to support the team in their recent successes and providing texted play by play updates to anyone who would ask and even to those who didn’t.
Fishing was a constant in his life, with family trips in the packed station wagon to the Upper Peninsula as a kid to vacations to Wisconsin and Canada to stock the freezer with bluegill. Steve took great pride in providing for his people, and food was the Couchman way of doing that. Fresh bluegill combined with carefully smoked meat made up the Couchman family surf and turf. The “secret” family recipes were important, particularly floshbrook, a meal that was supposed to be for Christmas but asking nicely could make it happen at other times. He also took on the ice cream pie tradition started by his father to ensure Christmas was never left without the family favorite.
Thanks to a lot of strangers on YouTube, he spent much time restoring his 1984 Corvette and his 1938 Buick, amongst other engineering experiments in his life. He was a constant problem solver and used his tool and die experience (and oftentimes their time) to build gadgets that he thought would make life (and fishing downriggers) easier.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents Randall and Betty and siblings Patricia Wagner, Thomas Couchman, and Bob Couchman. He is survived by partner Shirley Cooper, daughters Kacy Couchman (Chris Adams) and Kary Couchman, sister Catherine Ackerman, and many nieces and nephews.
If you would like to honor Steve’s memory, please consider donating to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy at https://swmlc.org/donate/.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at the Buchanan Senior Center (810 Rynearson St.) on Saturday, March 15 from 1:00-3:00.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.
Posted On: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 3:44 PM
