Steve's brother-in-law Roger Miller, of Darwin, was unable to attend the funeral but would like to express his condolences.

Born in Lithgow to George and Nancy Coles, Steve lived there with his parents, sister and two brothers until he was 11-years-old.

His parents owned a hamburger shop in the main street until they moved to Wallerawang for permanent employment.

Steve and Roger were "thrust together" on his first day at Wallerawang school, based purely on the fact they were in the same class and lived on the same street.

At the time Roger was not impressed with his new role as a carer, but as time passed and the boys attended Lithgow High School together, they soon called each other "mates".

The aspiring athletes joined the under 16s rugby league squad for Wallerawang where they enjoyed taking to the filed each week to defend the honour of their small township.

Steve married local girl Lynn Shirlaw and Roger found love with Steve's sister.

With Steve's farther drumming into him the importance of a steady job, Steve accepted a position with the Department of Social?Services.

Steve and his wife Lynn had children Kathy, Brian and David before they were transferred to Dubbo to settle in for life.

Unfortunately it was not smooth sailing for the couple, as Lynn sadly passed away to cancer in the early 1990s, leaving Steve with three young children to raise.

He remarried but shortly after a tragic fire took his second wife, Rosalyn.

However cruel life can be, when one door closes another one opens.

In this case Steve later met his third wife Pat Hageman, who by chance had also come from Wallerawang and attended the same school as Steve and Roger.

They had been together for many years and after leaving the Department of Social?Services, both managed a takeaway store in Bourke Street where Pat was, and still is, known affectionately as Mrs C. His three children have remained in Dubbo.