Stephen Charles Bihlmeier

Stephen Charles Bihlmeier, a devoted family man and successful businessman, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, at his home in Loma Linda, California. He was 79 years old and had long battled the challenges of Dementia and Parkinson’s. Surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing, Steve’s warmth, kindness, and generosity touched everyone who knew him.

Born on September 7, 1945, in Moline, Illinois, to Robert and Charlotte Bihlmeier, Steve grew up in Port Byron, Illinois, where he attended Port Byron Elementary School. In the summer of 1955, his family moved to Yucaipa, California, where he later attended both Yucaipa Elementary and Yucaipa Jr./Sr. High School, graduating in 1963. Following his parents’ divorce in 1958, Steve spent some time in Bisbee, Arizona, with his father before ultimately returning to California to complete his education.

Steve’s sense of duty led him to serve his country when he was drafted into the Army on January 25, 1966. He served as a cook at Fort Carson in Colorado and was honorably discharged on January 24, 1968. After his military service, Steve attended San Bernardino Valley College. He earned his real estate license and began working in real estate across Redlands, San Bernardino, and Rialto, even serving as Assistant Manager at Redlands Realtor. Along the way, he also worked as a school bus driver for Hospital Services—a role that would lead him to meet the love of his life.

In December 1971, while on the job, Steve met Toni Brown, who was taking nursing aid classes at the time. Their connection blossomed, and they were married on March 30, 1973, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple began their life together in Goleta, California, and over time, they built a strong and loving family. Together, they raised four children—Irene, Michael, Douglas, and Ryan—and eventually moved to Redlands, California, where they created a warm home complete with a yard where their children could play.

Steve’s professional journey continued to evolve. He joined Deutsch Manufacturing in Banning, California, where he started as a management trainee and worked his way up to oversee the entire metal department. As his family grew, so did his ambitions. In 1983, after attending travel school in Dallas, Texas, Steve and Toni became co-owners of Custom Travel and Cruise/Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Riverside, California. Under his leadership, the business thrived—securing local, state, and federal contracts, earning the 1987 Franchise of the Year award, and expanding to a second location. After many successful years, Steve closed the business in 2001 to retire, but his drive and passion soon led him back to work. He joined the travel department at Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) in Redlands as an on-site travel agent, a role he embraced until his final retirement in 2016, with a temporary return until 2020.

Steve’s legacy is not only defined by his professional achievements but also by his deep commitment to family and community. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Toni; his children—daughter Irene (Eric) Saldana of Highland, CA, and sons Michael (Renae) Bihlmeier of Peoria, AZ, Douglas (Sharon) Bihlmeier of Highland, CA, and Ryan (Selene) Bihlmeier of Victorville, CA; and his 12 beloved grandchildren, Johnathan, Daylon, Kylee, Jamie, Reannan, Braeden, Mateo, Hannah, Aliah, Gavin, Brooklynn, and Elijah. In addition, he is survived by his four sisters—Toni (Joe) Lloyd of Murfreesboro, TX, Martha (Elliott) Larson of East Greenwich, RI, Jean (Phil) Hoggatt of Huntington Beach, CA, and Mary (Ken) Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD; his brother, David Tilton of Bradyville, TN; and his step siblings, Jeff Bonner of Grover Beach, CA; Marge (Rudy) Owens of Pine, AZ; and JoAnn (Glenn) Garrison of Mesa, AZ—as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. 

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Robert; his mother, Charlotte Tilton; his stepfather, Pete Tilton; his stepmother, Jane Bihlmeier; a sister, Esther Lawrence Rognlien; a stepsister, Beth Steiner; an adopted brother, Vint Bihlmeier; and his grandparents.

A funeral service to honor Steve’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on February 10, 2025 at Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Ave., Redlands, California followed by a committal service at Riverside National Cemetery. His journey from a small town in Illinois to becoming a respected businessman in California is a testament to his hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the people he loved.