Rincon – MSGT Stephen C. Wharton, Retired U.S. Air Force, 66, passed away November 11, 2021 at his residence.

Steve served in the U.S. Air Force and retired from the Indiana Air National Guard with over 34 years of service.  He was highly awarded IT person and loved working on the planes but especially the F16s.  He was so good at working on the planes that some military bases would wait until he was available to come fix their planes.

Steve was a jokester at heart and loved to tease and poke fun especially with his wife and 2 granddaughters Dixie and Harleigh.  He had recently taken up metal detecting which he and granddaughter Harleigh enjoyed together.  He had also taken and interest in coin collecting recently and enjoyed the history behind each coin he possessed.

He was preceded in death by parents, Joyce and Rex Wharton; his son, Michael Wharton; nephew, Eric; and 3 grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 31 years Helen C. Wharton; sons, James Wharton and John Wharton; daughter, Christy Mock (Jim); son, David Tolbert (Paige); grandchildren, Makayla Wharton, Steven Tolbert, Devin Tolbert (Cailin), Ryder Tolbert, Dixie Burnsed, Harleigh Mock, Justin Mock, Kelsey Mock (Joasis), Logan Mock (Summer);  great-grandchildren, Hanah and Hunner Tolbert, Roman Torres, Uriyah Smoker, Charli Mock, Jace, Raelynn, and Weston Yates;  sister, Kim Palmer; niece, Vanessa Durcholz (her children, Silas and Sadie).  He leaves to cherish Jessica Tolbert, Skylar Futch (her son Kian), Jodi and Will Wetherington (their sons Fender and Gibson); and special friend Serina Collins.

The family would also like to extend a huge thank you to Hospice of Savannah that has been helping Steve and his daughter Christy care for his wife Helen.  Steve developed many friendships with those helping to care for his wife, especially treasuring 2 special CNA's , Mya and Whitni.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, November 28, 2021 in the funeral home chapel.

Interment will follow in Rincon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Steve wanted donations made in honor of his wife Helen Wharton to Hospice of Savannah and/or also to the children's ministry at Elam Egypt Baptist Church in Effingham County where his youngest granddaughter Harleigh enjoyed learning about the Lord.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421