Stephen A. Topping, 74, of Washington, Iowa, was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle,
and friend. He went to be with Jesus on Thursday, August 24, 2023, after a long battle with vascular dementia.
He was born to Margaret and Fred Topping on May 2, 1949, in Portsmouth, Ohio. After graduating from
Piketon High School in Piketon, Ohio, Stephen chased his dreams to serve the Lord on the mission field.
He worked at Teen Missions International in Merit Island, Florida, where he met his wife, Beverly.
Together, they moved to Scotland where they had one child, Heather. Stephen and Beverly made many lasting
friendships during their time with Teen Missions. After spreading the love of Jesus in many
countries, Stephen became a pastor in 1980 and moved to Iowa where he and his wife served the
Arnolds Park Friends Church, Spirit Lake Baptist Church, and Lakeview Open Bible Church. Stephen
graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in 1990 with an Associate of Science degree in
Substance Abuse Counseling and pursued a second career as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor. He
was blessed to be able to spend his later years with Halcyon House where he was cared for by the wonderful
staff at Rosewood Memory Care in Washington, Iowa.
Stephen loved people unconditionally and was always spreading joy with his humor and wit. His favorite
pastimes were traveling the world with his wife, watching British comedies, playing board games and
riding rollercoasters with his daughter, and spending quality time with his three granddaughters. His
constant reminder to those who crossed his path was “Jesus is still on the throne.”
He was not the first of his family to meet Jesus face-to-face. He was preceded in death by his mother,
Margaret Topping; father, Fred Topping; brother, Fred Dennis Topping; sister Dorothy Topping; nephew,
Fredrick Stephen Topping; many extended family members, and two children who passed into the arms of
their Heavenly Father before they were born. Oh, what a reunion Stephen had with his friends and family when he
passed into glory.
Loved ones who remain include his wife, Beverly (McReynolds) Topping of Richland, Iowa; daughter,
Heather (Topping) Pozarycki of Sigourney, Iowa; son-in-law, Jaroslaw Pozarycki of Coralville, Iowa;
granddaughters, Eliana, Natalia and Merianna Pozarycki; sister-in-law, Pamela Topping; nephews, Brian
and Gary (Carrie) Topping; and many cousins, brothers/sisters in-law, beloved nieces and nephews, and
friends.
Stephen’s life and legacy will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Trinity Friends Church
in Richland, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the family to help with funeral and burial costs.
Beverly Topping, 30532 320th Avenue, Richland, Iowa, 52585
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
Trinity Friends Church
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