Stephen ‘Steve’ Michael Fields

Stephen “Steve” Michael Fields, 65, of Greencastle, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 21, 2020, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was the son of Richard and Mary Catherine (Wilson) and Martha (Hughes) Fields and was born on June 16, 1954 in Washington, Ind.

Steve covered Putnam County and West Central Indiana high school and college sports for more than 40 years, serving as sports editor for the Banner Graphic in Greencastle for almost 20 years (1978-1986 and 1988-1999). In between stints at the Banner Graphic, Steve worked for the Daily Journal in Franklin, the Beech Grove Weekly, The (Frankfort) Times and the Crawfordsville Journal-Review. He began his journalism career with the Linton Daily Citizen in 1974. Upon leaving the Banner Graphic in 1999, Steve became a freelance sportswriter and sports correspondent for the Terre Haute Tribune Star and also had sports articles featured in The Brazil Times.

For his extraordinary service to local community sports and athletes, Steve received two high honors from the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association: The Corky Lamm Sportswriter of the Year award in 1996 and the Ron Lemasters Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. He served as president of the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association from 1986-1987 and 2002-2006. Other awards included the Distinguished Service Award from the Indiana High School Athletic Association in 1992 and writing commendations from the Hoosier State Press Association in 1984. He served as a manager for American Legion Baseball (1982-1985).

Besides sports writing, Steve was also sales manager for the Jameson Coffee in Greencastle (2006-2013). Steve served as a Greencastle City Councilman for the 3rd Ward (2015-2019) and served as part-time director of both the Putnam County P.I.E. Coalition (2002-2006) and the Putnam County Step Ahead/First Steps Council (2000-2005). He also represented Greencastle and Putnam County as a member of the Western Indiana Community Action Agency, Inc.

Steve loved to fish and root for his beloved Indiana University and St. Louis Cardinals teams. His other love, besides his family, was “covering high school sports in Putnam County.”

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Monique (Lacouture) Fields, and sons David (Jennifer) Fields of Armuchee, Ga., and Joseph “Joe” Fields of Greencastle. He leaves two grandchildren, Hayden and Olivia Fields of Georgia; three brothers, Tim (Teresa) Fields of Gales Ferry, Ct., Mark (Janis) Fields of Ledyard, Ct. and Jason (Lindsay) Fields of Linton, and a sister, Susan (Ted) Monier of Linton; plus several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Putnam County P.O. Box 444 Greencastle, IN. 46135, where the family has adopted two cats in the years past.

Due to current regulations from the State of Indiana, Mr. Fields’ services will be private.

Please watch the funeral home’s website for a Facebook link to services.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home has been entrusted with the funeral services.

Condolences may be shared with the family c/o www.Hopkins-Rector.com.