Steve W. Whitlock

December 5, 2019

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Steve W. Whitlock, 74, of Indianapolis, died December 5, 2019 at his home.  He was born September 26, 1945 in Harvey, Illinois to the late Walter Wendell and Lois Lorraine (Williams) Whitlock.  He married Rex A. Camp on July 19, 2014 and he survives.

Steve grew up in Harvey, IL.  He graduated Thornton High School in 1963 and was a 1967 graduate of Southern Illinois University.  While at Southern Illinois University, he was on the gymnastics team that won the NCAA Gymnastic Championship for 3 years.  He attended graduate school at Wayne State University, leaving there to start the first private gymnastics program in the state of Michigan. He served 1000 children a week in 3 gym locations.   Steve moved to Indianapolis in 1988, to create the first coaches & judges training program for USA Gymnastics.  In 2011, he escorted 400 gymnasts to Lucerne, Switzerland Quadrennial Gymnaestrada, with 24,000 gymnasts. He received a lifetime achievement award for his work with USA Gymnastics

Steve was a member of the LifeJourney Church in Indianapolis, where he sang in the choir, a member of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus for 8 years and an avid member of the Indianapolis Sailing Club. He was a part of the Art Bank Art Gallery in Indianapolis, as a visual artist, specializing in pen and ink drawings and acrylic paintings. He also enjoyed downhill skiing and golf.

Visitation and Services

A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at LifeJourney Church, 2950 E. 55th Place, Indianapolis, IN 46220. Memorial donations may be made to LifeJourney Church.

Survived by:

Husband: Rex A. Camp of Indianapolis, Brother: Michael (Diane) Whitlock of Morrison, Colorado, Sister: Donna (Warren) Letzsch of Ellicott City, Maryland, Step Mother: Doris Whitlock of Peoria, Illinois. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

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33 Condolences for “Steve W. Whitlock”

  1. Susan Davis December 9, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    Rex, I am so sorry for your loss. Know that you are in my prayers.

    Reply
  2. James Anthony December 9, 2019 at 9:47 pm

    Steve was one of the most genuine, talented, and kind people to ever walk this Earth. I will always remember him, as he was a beautiful soul. I will always treasure his art, as an extension of that beautiful soul. I send my love and prayers for comfort and healing to Rex and his family, as well as to the Whitlock family.

    Reply
  3. Virgene Cline December 10, 2019 at 12:09 am

    While this earth is a little less bright with Steve’s passing, Heaven has a new singer in the choir who is lighting up the skies with his sweet smile. Steve’s fantastic artwork will live on as will his blessings to those he touched. peace be with you Rex and the entire Camp and Whitlock family.

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth December 10, 2019 at 9:07 am

    Grandpa Steve was a warm, funny, loving and talented man who will be missed greatly.

    Reply
  5. Jodie Trncak December 10, 2019 at 9:11 am

    I am so saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. He was responsible for giving me my passion for Performance Gymnastics. He loved gymnastics and enjoyed my work. This was special to me. Love and prayers to all,
    Jodie Trncak

    Reply
  6. Jonathan David Pittman December 10, 2019 at 9:36 am

    Steve was the man I always wanted to be: kind, compassionate, strong, blithe and full of life. He will be sorely missed.
    I’m so glad I knew him, however briefly.

    Reply
  7. Jack Carter December 10, 2019 at 9:56 am

    The world is a lesser place without Steve. He was always kind and loving to those around him. He was a father figure to hundreds if not thousands. He was an advocate for children everywhere. I’m so grateful to have known Steve. He was a friend to all.

    Reply
  8. Ángel Olivera December 10, 2019 at 10:29 am

    I am so hurt to know about it. He was really talented and a great person, l had the pleasure to perform with him and he always was a great professional. He will be missed. Sending tons of love to you Rex.

    Reply
  9. Ben Lamb December 10, 2019 at 10:39 am

    Steve’s upbeat attitude and positive outlook about life were amazing. I never heard him complain about his illness. He focused on what mattered most to him: things such as Rex and the other members of his family, his devotion to his church, his friends, his artwork, his love of gymnastics, and his appreciation of life in general. Although he is missed by many people, he surely is enjoying his now perfect, pain-free body in heaven and has resumed doing, among other things, his much-loved gymnastics routines.

    Reply
  10. Angie Garcia-Johnson December 10, 2019 at 11:01 am

    Steve was a genuine teacher and kind person. Talented with a vision and goal to make the world a better place with his career and community involvement. We who knew him will treasure our time with him. Condolences to his family and friends, with love, from Angie Garcia-Johnson.

    Reply
  11. Sheri Higgins December 10, 2019 at 11:29 am

    So sorry for your loss, I was one of his gymnast from Michigan, Acronauts. Very thankful for the opportunities he gave to us. Prayers

    Reply
  12. John Cunningham December 10, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    Steve’s Whitlock Gymnastics Club and my Plymouth Gymnastics Club ran many MAG State Meets together. We ran Wolverine Camps up north too. He was an inspiration for gymnastics in the State. He will be missed.

    Reply
  13. Suzanne Bowdish December 10, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss, Rex. It was an honor to sing with Steve in Life Journey’s choir. Steve was a gentle, spirit filled, talented man who touched many lives. Prayers for you, Rex and friends & family.

    Reply
  14. Bruce Jacob December 10, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    Steve was greatly respected and admired internationally as a gymnastics coach. I was honored to have known him in Michigan and later on a trip to Costa Rica where he was sent by the USGF. An awesome coach and mentor, an amazing guy!….He raised the bar for all of us!

    Reply
  15. Bobby Farb December 10, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    My sincere condolences to a great person

    RIP!

    Reply
  16. Bill Waddell December 10, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    Reading this I found out things I didn’t know about Steve. A life well lived. I’m shocked to hear of his passing. What a great guy. His life was not in vain. He gave of him self to so many people. So many kids. Steve buddy I will be thinking of you.

    Reply
  17. Dale & Phyllis Hardt December 10, 2019 at 8:42 pm

    Steve,
    To a good friend, fraternity brother and teammate. While years have come and gone, we will always miss you.

    Reply
  18. Thomas DiMera December 11, 2019 at 4:07 am

    Constantly a beacon of encouragement. He never said “cant” .

    He brought such laughter and love into any situation. He brought a sense of stability and truth with his warmth.

    Truly an awesome man and he will be missed. My love to his family and special love and prayer to Rex.

    Reply
  19. Brent Wendell Williams December 11, 2019 at 8:57 am

    So many fun memories with my fellow Gymnastic Champion-Steve Whitlock at SIU 1964-1967-My best friend & World Trampoline Champion Frank Schmitz & I use to kid Steve about his 1-arm that he couldn’t straighten out & we would call him Steve Armlock! I will always remember his positive uplifting smile & personality! My heart goes out to you Rex -Family & Friends! See you on the other side Steve-please welcome me home, Felt My Champion! Brent Wendell Williams aka- “MIAMI”

    Reply
  20. Lauren Alessi December 11, 2019 at 1:36 pm

    I first met Steve in 1969 when I became one of the first gymnasts to join the Acronauts team. I am deeply saddened to hear of his loss. Steve was a talented, kind and inspirational coach. He was passionate about gymnastics and he taught us the importance of discipline and perseverance. Even after breaking my arm, he encouraged me to never give up. He will always be remembered as a kind, warm and positive person. My sincere condolences to Rex, his family and friends. With love, Lauren “Laurie” Miesel Alessi

    Reply
  21. Paula Gehman December 11, 2019 at 2:00 pm

    On behalf of the entire NorthStars family and of course Tony and myself, we entend our love and sympathy to Rex and all of Steve’s family. Steve was a good man who dedicated his life in the interest of many athletes, and a sport he loved. He will be truely missed. Thank you Steve for all you did.

    Reply
  22. Hutch Dvorak December 11, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Steve was a wonderful friend and teammate at SIU from 1963-67. We had 4 years of championship gymnastics that we shared. He was always there for his friends- someone you could talk to about anything. He had everyone’s respect and admiration. Steve will be missed by many.

    Reply
  23. Jan Greenhawk December 12, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    My heartfelt condolences to Rex and all of Steve’s family. He was a man who loved life and loved gymnastics so much that he wanted as many people as possible to be able to participate. I will remember his positive attitude and smile always.

    Reply
  24. Doug Montgomery December 13, 2019 at 4:41 am

    Rex
    Sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  25. Margaret (Meg) Gray December 13, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    Oh, Rex I have not known what to say for these many days. I am so sorry to hear that Steve is gone. The two of you are in my mind always as sparking the sweetest smile in each other. I was lucky enough to get to know Steve just a little bit, and to see his work in painting, drawing and photography. His compassion and passion showed in his work. I am holding you in my thoughts and my heart.

    Reply
  26. Bruce Davis December 13, 2019 at 8:00 pm

    Steve was good gymnast and part of the Southern Illinois University dynasty. I had the pleasure of coaching with him at many USGF women’s meets when he was in Michigan. He was one of the good administrators in the USGF/USAG national office. I will miss him. My last contact with him was at the Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame event in Indianapolis a few years ago.

    Reply
  27. Mike Cates December 14, 2019 at 2:24 pm

    Gymnast forever! God Bless You Steve!!! The Cates Family and Broadway Gymnastic School Los Angeles, CA

    Reply
  28. Wayne Borkowski -“bork” December 15, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    To Rex and family, I am sorry for the loss of Steve. Steve was a real inspiration to all of us. His encouragement and advice helped me along the way while I was a struggling freshman gymnast at SIU, I will miss his great attitude and smile. R.I.P brother Steve, thank you. See you on the “other side gym”.

    Reply
  29. Peter and Sue Lunde December 16, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    We are saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. I knew Steve and his family since grade school. He was the best man at our wedding. The memorial video really captures Steve: often smiling, a sharp sense of humor, and game to try anything. We will miss him. Our condolences to Rex and the Whitlock family.

    Reply
  30. Paula Lunde December 17, 2019 at 6:52 am

    I am sad to hear of Steve’s illness and passing. I knew Steve as my brother Pete’s good friend when I was in grade school. He spent a lot of time at our home in Harvey and always made me smile. I still see him doing multiple back flips down the lawn in the backyard or flips off the pool diving board. I will continue to think of him that way.

    Reply
  31. Leo and Terri Ware December 17, 2019 at 4:42 pm

    So very sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a kind and gentle soul. Over the years we enjoyed our time together at the Art Bank. He and Rex introduced us to the Men’s Chorus and Dance Kaleidoscope. We also had a great time trekking one spring at Newfields.

    Reply
  32. William Waddell November 14, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    I was a friend of Steve. I learned a lot about him from the internet. Lots of talent good guy. A great help to many.

    Reply
  33. Terry Abraham May 9, 2022 at 1:40 am

    Although I am late in extending condolences (just having found out about Steve having passed), I want to extend my condolences to his family and especially to his husband, Rex. We were neighbors and friends with the Whitlocks in Harvey, Illinois. Also, members at the First Christian Church, Harvey. He was a great little boy and I remember him. Friendly, outgoing, polite. What a wonderful family.
    J. Terry Abraham
    San Francisco, California

    Reply

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