James Stephen Mosier (also known as Mosier, Uncle Mo-Mo and Steve) passed away on May 8, 2023 after a lengthy illness. Steve was born on March 23, 1948, the third child of Martha (Hinkle) Mosier Reynolds and Donald E. Mosier. His parents and brothers, Laurens and David, preceded him in death. Steve is survived by his niece Margot Mosier Swartz and nephew Michael Mosier, both children of Steve’s brother David who died in 1978.

Steve was a graduate of Martinsville High school. After graduation he served two tours of duty in the U.S. Army as a teletype repairman on the frontlines in Vietnam. Back in the states Steve enjoyed a career as a railroader working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and Conrail. When he retired from the railroad Steve reinvented himself as a computer programmer and worked for several years as a staff member in Indiana University’s Computer Science and Information Technology departments. He continued to work in IT the rest of his life.

After sustaining a severe leg injury Steve convalesced at his mother’s home at Porter Beach on Lake Michigan. He would open a cybercafé called the Electric Shadow Café in downtown Valparaiso. He moved back to Bloomington after his mother died in 2008 and lived the rest of his life in his May Road home southwest of Bloomington.

Steve was full of life and loved to cook and throw dinner parties at his houses. He was a regular patron of Bears Place and the Bluebird and staff and friends at both bars will remember attending Steve’s legendary volleyball parties. Steve loved all types of music but especially the Grateful Dead. He loved canoeing and treasured being part of the Gopher Broke canoe adventures in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Canada. Steve was a ham radio operator and was fascinated with communicating with newfound ham friends from around the world. He had a pilot’s license and would often take friends on flights to enjoy a meal at one of his favorite spots to eat he had discovered near an airport. Despite his purposefully gruff demeanor, Steve was a connoisseur of art, food, and drink. He had an appreciation of other cultures and lifestyles. In his later years he was a member of a whiskey club which sampled many whiskeys, bourbons and ryes from the U.S and around the world. He had a particular affinity for smash burgers and fried chicken and even though he was on oxygen 24/7, he continued to make regular trips to the Workingman’s Friend hamburger joint in Indianapolis.

The weekend of September 9–10, we will be holding a celebration of Steve’s life at his home and property at 6398 West May Road, Bloomington. Steve's many friends and family are encouraged to come, reminisce about the many elements of his rich and rewarding life. You’re welcome to join in the party for one, two or three days, giving multiple toasts to give Steve for an appropriate send-off. The celebration will culminate in a Billy Shears Thanksgiving Party style of potluck at 2 pm on Sunday September 10th.

Steve's final resting place will be at an undisclosed location in accordance with his wishes that he be cremated with his remains placed in a Folgers Coffee can and his ashes scattered in the Rio Grande River in New Mexico.

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