Steve Jacobsmeyer died at the age of 72 on Friday, August 4, 2023, surrounded by family and close friends.
Steve’s life and legacy is celebrated by a long list of loved ones.
Steve was the much-loved husband of Paddy (McPhillips); the proud father of Amy (Mike) Ceriotti, Karen (the late Collin) McAtee, Susan (Kevin) Werner, and Andrew (Brooke Smith) Jacobsmeyer; the adoring grandpa to Gianna Ceriotti, Natalie & Luke McAtee, Frederick & Greta Werner, and Mae Alice Jacobsmeyer.
Steve is also remembered by his former wife, Kathy (Brennan), brother Adolph “Jake” (Sheila) Jacobsmeyer, brothers-in-law John Poelker and John Shillito, the South Side Chicago McPhillips “Outlaws,” Thomas McPhillips, Maribeth (Jerry) Healy, Tom (Jacqui) McPhillips and Michael (Monica) McPhillips, as well as numerous Jacobsmeyer and McPhillips nieces and nephews.
Steve was fiercely loyal to his friends, whom he loved as family; his “brothers from other mothers,” Mike Guzy, Jim (Marti) Stubblefield, and Gerry Ortbals to name a few.
Steve was born on March 18, 1951, to the late Adolph “Jake” and Bertha (McKeon) Jacobsmeyer. As the youngest of six children, he was beloved and adored by his late sisters: Mary Anne (John) Shillito, Judy (Jim) Hennessey, Lynn Jacobsmeyer, & Janet (John) Poelker. His older brother Jake also adored him in the antagonizing way of brotherly affection. Steve returned this adoration in spades.
Steve’s childhood was equally spent in athletics and mischief. He attended St. Philip Neri, where he excelled in daydreaming. Steve later attended DeAndreis High School until he was falsely accused of the heinous act of throwing a Charleston Chew at his teacher. His crime was being the only student who laughed as the candy bar thudded against the blackboard. He subsequently graduated from Northwest High School and joined his father, Lt. Col. Jake Jacobsmeyer at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Steve later obtained his bachelor’s degree from SLU.
While working undercover, Steve sustained a gunshot wound to his neck during a drug raid on North Market Street. In 1980, Steve was invited to the 122nd session of the FBI National Academy. After graduating from the FBI Academy, he decided not to pursue a career as an FBI agent, instead continuing to serve in the community he loved as an SLMPD homicide detective. Ever the restless entrepreneur, Steve entered the world of real estate in the 80s and became the full-time broker at Jacobsmeyer Realty upon retirement from the SLMPD.
Steve’s son-in-law, Collin, welcomed him to heaven with a cigar, followed by hugs from his parents and sisters. Paddy’s mother, Joanne (Gaughan) McPhillips, joined the heavenly reunion and thanked him for being so good to her daughter. The celestial party continued with the many relatives and friends who arrived before Steve, all from the many circles of Steve’s life: St. Louis North Siders and South Siders, St. Philip Neri, the SLMPD & homicide, soccer teams, bar stools, “the garage,” Jacobsmeyer Realty, & St. Gabriel’s parish.
Steve, we love you and miss you. And may God hold you in the palm of His hand until we meet again.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at St. Gabriel the Archangel – 6303 Nottingham Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63109.
Visitation – 12:30pm to 2pm
Memorial Service – 2pm
The family would love to preserve your stories of Steve and share in the laughs for years to come. Please email your remembrances to: SteveJacobsmeyerMemories@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Steve’s name to: The BackStoppers, Inc. (backstoppers.org) or Brett’s First Responders (brettsfirstresponders.org) would be greatly appreciated by his family.
My late husband Mike Benson worked with Steve. Steve was a rookie. The first time he rode with Mike, the first thing Mike did was pull into a barbershop and told him to get a haircut. And when he was shot, Mike was at the hospital when his Mother showed up. He told her” good news, I had clean underwear on”. Mikes Mom Hazel grew up with Steve’s mother. And Mike also raised at St Philip of Neri. Walnut Park. Prays for the family and friends.
Paddy, what an interesting read about your dad. He sounded like a fine man with all that community service and the pursuit of many paths. I pray peace and comfort upon you as you and yours navigate earthly life without him. Take care.💙💐
Thank you, Patty. Steve was a fine man and had a heart of gold. Paddy McPhillips-Jacobsmeyer
(Steve’s wife)
Steve always told me that he kept a copy of the court judgment he had against the individual who shot him in his glove compartment. I hope you retrieve that and frame it. Although he was never able to collect, he was very proud of it as he should be.
I rode with Steve when he was a young Probationary Officer in the 3rd District. He was a great partner and a good friend. My wife and I did a lot of things together with them, back in those days and had a lot of fun. One of many crazy things we did together was go to dinner at a place call Trader Vic’s. We order numerous appetizers and when the main course came, we were all too full to eat. The crazy thing is that a couple of months later we went back to Trader Vic’s. On the way there we laugh about eating all the appetizers before the main course. With that said, we did the same thing and were too full when the main course came.
Unfortunately, as many cases our paths took different directions, and we did not see each other as much as we used to. I would run into Steve at the Mack Bar or meet him for lunch on occasion but not like we used to. I am very happy that I picked Steve up this last Spring, and we went to lunch for the last time. Steve was a great father, husband a good friend. He will be missed.,
Paddy and the Jacobsmeyer/McPhillips Families:
Steve was good company and the life of many a get together.
Steve will be sadly missed and happily remembered.
John and Mary Beth Flynn
Paddy and Jacobsmeyer/McPhillips families:
Steve was always good company and the life of many get togethers.
He will be sadly missed and happily remembered.
John and Mary Beth Flynn Family
Paddy,Amy, Karen,Susan, Andrew
I was so sorry to hear of his passing, He was larger than life, one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
I will keep you all in my prayers.
Mike
This is a perfect obit for Steve Jacobsmeyer.
Steve was a great neighbor and the hi-light of Vienna. The Tornetto’s doors and the Jacobsmeyer doors were always opened to each other. Greater neighbors we could have never asked for.
Steve always had a smile on his face and made you laugh with him or at him.
RIP my friend,
Jeannie Tornetto
Paddy, Amy, Karen, Susan, Andrew, and family:
I was so sorry to hear of Steve‘s passing. My family will keep you and Steve in our prayers.
My father was Dan Nichols and I believe he used to ride around with Steve In homicide from time to time because I distinctly remember being picked up from preschool at Sacred Heart Villa in an unmarked car (had to be between 1985-1987). My dad was driving and Mr. Jacobsmeyer was in the front passenger seat. I commented on how great the car smelled. “What’s that smell, dad?! He replied, “Nothing smells good, we put bad guys in here.” Steve spoke up, “It’s cigars, Clay.” I asked, “Who was smoking them?” My dad replied, “I don’t know…probably the bad guy we had sitting back there.” I asked, “have you ever smoked cigars before?” My dad promptly replied, “no.” That’s when Mr. Jacobsmeyer said, “no, I saw you smoking one a few hours ago in that seat…” I saw my dad look at him and grit his teeth, not wanting his son to think it’s ok to smoke. Mr. Jacobsmeyer turned around and said, “it was me, Clay, and it’s a disgusting habit, but the bad guys hate it, so we do it.”
Many years later, Steve gave me a cigar at my wedding reception.
My dad also told me a story about how they were at a murder scene in an apartment. The landlord was present and said something along the lines of, “what a shame…”, and Mr. Jacobsmeyer interjected something along the lines of, “yeah it is a shame, you know what the square footage is in this place? Are you interested in listing it?”
He was also very present during my dad’s last few months in the hospital before he passed away. It meant a lot to see him there. Rest in peace, Mr. Jacobsmeyer.
Out of the respect to my father and fellow members of TACT Squad I offer my condolences to his family and friends. My father and Steve were like father and son, he had the utmost respect for him. I bet there together telling police stories or dad telling Steve not to cut any wires. Could not ask for a stand up man. You will be missed Brother
To the many Jacobsmeyer family members…..
I just learned today, while at the wake for Ed Liszewski, that Steve passed away last month.
Your Daddy, husband, grandpa, friend was the BEST guy!!!
Steve and I went to Northwest High School together. We had a number of classes together & he was definitely a lively participant! He was a LOT of fun to be around but you also sensed that he was there for you, if you needed him.
Well, right after we graduated, I fibbed to my father & drove our only car down to the hospital on Kingshighway. I rear ended a car right in front of the hospital, & the man let me go. His car had no damage, but my dad’s had a broken headlight.
On my way back to my home in Baden, I was so upset, driving through Walnut Park, knowing I didn’t know how to fix the broken headlight when I happened upon Steve!!! I flagged him down, told him my sad story & that SWEET guy proceeded to have me follow him to an auto parts place on Riverview boulevard & he bought & replaced my broken headlight.
Saved from my father’s wrath ( I did fess up years later : ) ) I will always be grateful to Steve for his help!
Please accept my expression of deepest sympathy on the passing of such a fine man.
RIP dear friend….
Sincerely,
Diana Rosner Kiernan
NW Class of ‘69
Thank you, Diana for sharing that great story.
It warms my heart.
Paddy McPhillips -Jacobsmeyer
(Steve’s wife)
My condolences to the family. I just heard of Steves passing as I knew him from De Andreis and Walnut Park. I live in Alabama now but get back to St. Louis regularly.
I’m so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing today.
Moving to the Lake I’m out of the loop. Like so many others, he left an impression with me of a true police family man and a caring soul. I pray he’s with my Steve laughing, enjoying a cigar & catching up.
Love to you Paddy & his family,
Kathryn (Strehl) Yansen
Mr. Jacobsmeyer – aka my Soccer coach. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and I send my love and prayers to his family. He was a great coach, always fair, always kind and always teaching us. RIP