PEORIA, AZ, USA U.S. Marines CPL, TROOP A, 3RD SQUADRON, 8TH CAVALRY, FORT HOOD, TX BALAD, IRAQ 01/07/2007
Stephen was born December 23, 1985 in Mesa, Arizona. He was the son of James and Sharon Raderstorf and the eldest brother to siblings, Philip and Joel. He moved to the Prescott area with his family, which is now living in Peoria, during January 2002. He is the son of a Potter’s House pastor, and therefore lived all over the world in such places as Uganda, East Africa, Indiana and California.
Among his many talents, Stephen was a musician. He played guitar, bass and drums. Also a songwriter, he wrote mostly alternative-style music and he also wrote most of the songs for a band he joined at the family’s church. He sang for God.
Stephen was a master of dialects. He could go into character at any time to entertain his family. He had a mischievous smile and a quick wit.
He was a 2003 graduate of Prescott High School. By the time he was in high school, Stephen began speaking with recruiters. Family recalled old army games he used to play with his brother. They’d just basically around the yard and go around without their parents knowing they were there. The three boys would play-shoot at each other, which tended to end in a final argument over who won the game.
Family members said Stephen loved sports; his forte was baseball. However, he never played on any teams while in school. The brothers played in a league together while living in central Africa.
He is survived by his parents, James and Sharon Raderstorf and Brothers Philip and Joel, all of Peoria, fraternal grandparents Don and Joyce Raderstorf of Sun City, and maternal grandfather, Max Graham of Glasford, Illinois as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.