Steven Hartwell

Steven N. Hartwell, age 75, of Island Pomd, VT, passed at his home, Sunday morning, April 5, 2026.

Steven N. Hartwell was born on January 4, 1951, at Brightlook Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, as the fifth and youngest child of Norris George Hartwell and Adeline “Dean” Edith Daigneau Hartwell. Notably, Steve was the only one among his siblings to be born in a hospital. His formative years were spent in Lyndonville, Vermont, where the family lived in various apartments along Church Street. During his toddler years, Steve's family moved to the Burke area and resided in the Dixon house, now the home of the Worden family. At age five, the family relocated to the Humphrey house on Route 114 while his father constructed a new house on the adjacent lot. Upon completion, Hartwell's moved into this new home, which would be Steve's residence until adulthood.

Steve attended East Burke Graded School for grades one through eight, spending four years each in the downstairs and upstairs classrooms. This school is where East Burke School is currently located. His high school years were spent at Lyndon Institute, where he graduated in 1969. During high school, Steve studied Building Trades and contributed to constructing a house on Finney Hill in Lyndon. While a senior in high school, Steve worked part time assembling catalogs in the office at Vermont Tap & Die Co. in Lyndonville. After graduation, he joined the company full time in the Cutoff Department until a lack of work led to his layoff.

In March 1970, Steve enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed boot camp at Great Lakes RTC in Illinois. Afterward, he attended Yeoman "A" School in Bainbridge, Maryland, but did not graduate. He was then assigned to Newport, Rhode Island, and served aboard the USS Norris DD-859 for sea duty, participating in the ship's decommissioning at the Boston Navy Yard. Steve was subsequently transferred to the USS McCloy DE-1038, where he spent the remainder of his Naval career. He attained the rank of Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class and led the deck crew. During his service, Steve visited numerous European countries including England, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, as well as Spain, Portugal, and various Caribbean destinations such as Bermuda, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on February 22, 1974. Following his naval service, Steve joined the National Guard in 1974, serving as a Supply Technician until his discharge in 1981.

After completing his military obligations, Steve began working for the Lyndonville Electric Department, operating generating stations at Vail and Great Falls. He later transitioned to the garage on Grove Street, where he managed stock, ordered and received inventory, priced and recorded line extensions, dispatched trucks, and occasionally filled in as a meter reader. Steve eventually became a Groundman and Truck Driver and was studying to become a Lineman before deciding to relocate to Florida in 1982.

Steve and his family moved to Florida, where he worked as Assistant Manager at Orange State Pipe and Supply and held several positions at the Georgia Pacific paper mill in Palatka, Florida. In 1987, they returned to Vermont, first residing in Burke with his sister Ruth and then purchasing a home on East Street in Lyndonville. Upon returning, Steve rejoined Vermont Tap & Die, which later operated under various names, including Greenfield Industries, Bosch Corp., and Kennametal. He remained there until his job was downsized in 1998. By then, Steve was employed at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital as an Environmental Services Technician.

Steve continued to advance professionally, earning certification as a CHEST (Certified Environmental Services Technician) and later as Manager of the Environmental Services Department, achieving CHESP (Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional) status. He retired in October 2023.

On December 12, 1970, Steve married Geraldine Madeline Jewett at the Congregational Church in Lyndonville. Together, they had three children: Steve Jr., Jennifer, and Jason. Geraldine passed away on November 3, 1994. On April 5, 2005, Steve married Deborah Jean Pepau Helms, the second love of his life. Debbie has three children: Michael, Brian, and Jeff Helms.

Steve is survived by his three children son Steve Jr. and his wife Erin, son Jason and his wife Amanda and daughter Jennifer. Debbie's three children, and 10 grandchildren: Rebecca Guillette, Katelyn McMurray, Franklin Hartwell, Kasey Hartwell, Kameron Hartwell, Kayliegh Hartwell, Oliver Hartwell, Alena Helms, Dylan Helms and Presley Helms. Eight great grandchildren, Riley Blaisdell, Karson Batchelder, Paislee Batchelder, Julianna Guillette, Bailee Guillette, Patrick McMurray, Dylan McMurray and Baby Girl McMurray. His Brother-in-law Richard Bunting. Gerri's brother Phil Jewett and wife Sandy, Gerri's sister Judy, Gerri's sister Bobbi Adams and husband Rick, Gerri's sister Laurie Flatley and husband David. Debbie's brother, John (Jack Pepau) and wife Ellen and Debbie's sister Joanne Fournier and husband Keith.

He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Tim Hartwell and wife Linda, Bill Hartwell and wife Nancy, Louise Harris and husband Steve, Jeanne Leonard and husband Jeff, Tom Smith, Mike Hartwell and wife Annie, Nancy Graves, Jody Garfield and husband Doug, Lori Ryan and husband Chris, Lynn Peterson, Larry Brown and wife Laura, Chris Pepau, Chad Pepau and his wife Ashley, Stephen Fournier, Anne Spaulding and husband Stephen. Patty Weaver, Heather Jewett, Missy Jewett Brown, Tracy Jewett, Michelle Jewett, Carolee Flatley, Jessica Wagoner and husband Derek.

Steve was predeceased by his father Norris and mother Adeline (Dean). Gerri's parents Wendell and Pearl Jewett. Debbie's parents John and Frances Pepau. By his brother Harold and wife Vickie, brother Everett and wife Joan, sister Ruth Smith and husband Tom, Virginia Bunting and a brother-in law Warren Brown. Gerri's brother and sister Gary Jewett and Carol Smart. Nephews Howard Spencer, Fred Graves, Thomas Jewett and great nephew Zachary Hartwell.

After Cremation there will be no services, and the distribution of the remains will be according to Steven and Deborah's will at the time of Deborah's death.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.CaledoniaLifeServices.com