Steven Dean Bales, USAF
September 21, 1947 – November 29, 2025

Mr. Steven Dean Bales, age 78, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Saturday, November 29, 2025, at his home.

Celebration of Life services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor Jacob Hall officiating. Military honors will be given by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 and the United States Air Force Honor Guard. The family will receive friends after the service at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mr. Bales was born September 21, 1947, in Clinton, OK, to George and Ruth McAdoo Bales. He graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1965. He attended Imperial Valley College. He entered the United States Air Force in 1967 and fought in the Vietnam War. He had a love for his country and his fellow service men and women. He loved hunting and fishing. He never met a stranger and could talk for hours.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Steven Joseph Bales, and son-in-law, Ethan David Allen.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Yvonne Elizabeth Schirmer Bales, of the home; daughter, Yvette Elizabeth Allen, of Pilot Mountain; grandchildren, Steve Craig Allen (Hannah), Anthony Troy Allen, and Alexa Arlene Elizabeth Allen all of Pilot Mountain; and one brother, Dennis Ray Bales (Ron) of Solvang, CA.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142, P.O. Box 357, North Wilkesboro NC 28659, or the Wounded Warrior Project, 1990 Fordham Drive, Suite 100, Fayetteville NC 28304.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

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Steve served a tour in the Vietnam War as a flight engineer/door gunner on UH-1P helicopters with the 20th Special Operations Squadron “Green Hornets” in the 1969~1970 time frame.