John Stephen O’Toole II

Obituary

John Stephen O’Toole II

May 15, 1949 - Dec. 19, 2024

OLATHE, Kan. - John Stephen O’Toole II, son of John “Jack” and Sybil (Foley) O’Toole, was born in McCook, Neb. on May 15, 1949. He passed away peacefully at his home in Olathe on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at the age of 75.

Steve was raised in Oberlin, Kan., graduating from Decatur County High School in 1967. In high school, he was an avid athlete and became the first four-sport letterman at DCHS, participating in football, basketball, golf and track & field. After high school, he attended Fort Hays State University until a motorcycle accident in 1969 forced him to return home for recovery and rehab.

On June 13, 1971, he married Deanna Roe in Oberlin. Steve worked various jobs around Oberlin until making the move to Olathe in 1978 to own and manage the PetPourri pet store. Olathe is where they made their home and raised their three children. In 1980, Steve began a 33-year career delivering newspapers for the Olathe Daily News and the Kansas City Star.

Steve found great joy in gardening, bird watching, fishing and listening to Motown and golden oldies music. He cherished his many lifelong relationships and enjoyed connecting with old friends and family regularly. While he rarely saw a game in its entirety, Steve was a lifetime fan of KU Basketball, the Kansas City Royals and The Kansas City Chiefs. But, without question, his greatest joy and deepest pride were his eight grandchildren. Steve loved his grandkids deeply but never missed an opportunity to beat them at a competitive game of darts or cards. He enjoyed following all their sports and always made sure that coaches and umpires knew he was watching them, too.

Those left to treasure Steve’s memory include his wife of 53 years, Deanna; his son Jason O’Toole and wife Shannon of Arkansas City; his daughter Jaime Williams of Gardner; his son Jacob O’Toole and wife Katherine of Eudora; eight grandchildren: Hunter, Haden and Hadley O’Toole, Dayton and Dawson Williams, and Olivia, John and Ty O’Toole; two brothers Dave O’Toole and wife Lisa of Leawood, Kent O’Toole and wife Mary of Bowling Green, Ky.; one sister Laurie Nachtigal and husband Dave of Falls City, Neb.; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister Jeanne Ann.

A celebration of love will be held throughout the day on Jan. 11, 2025. The family will welcome friends and family at their home, 520 S. Ridge Dr. in Olathe, where food, drinks and memories of Steve will be in abundance.