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The Special Feature: Steve Wells
A Living Legacy:
The Man Behind the Dream
1965 – 2024 | Husband, Father, Firefighter, Visionary, Friend, Captain, Guardian
Act I: The Roots of a Guardian
Steve Wells entered this world on August 12, 1965, "kicking and screaming" at the Russell City Hospital. A 1983 graduate of Russell High, he was a man who lived life at full throttle, always ready to go at the drop of a hat. Inspired by his Grandpa Jake Milberger, Steve mastered auto mechanics at Salina Vo Tech, developing a lifelong obsession with how things worked—and more importantly, how to fix them.
On February 18, 1995, he married Melinda Keberlein, beginning a life defined by fierce devotion. Steve never knew a stranger; he could talk to anyone about anything, and usually did. To Steve, the world was simply full of friends he hadn’t met yet and "kids" he hadn’t mentored yet. Whether he was jamming out to classic rock with his grandchildren or sharing his mechanical wisdom with a new recruit, he poured himself into others. When he wasn’t serving his community, he was embracing his legendary love for Halloween. For Steve, the "spooky season" was an art form—a time for mischief, horror movies, and grand adventures. To his children—Lindsay, Bryan, and Rachel—and his four cherished grandchildren, he was a hero who made every moment feel like a front-row seat to something special.
Steve’s commitment to Russell was defined by a life of service that spanned over a quarter of a century. For 26 years, he stood on the front lines as a member of the Russell Fire Department, ultimately retiring as Captain. He was a leader who didn’t just give orders; he gave of himself. Steve was a mentor who believed in people when they didn't believe in themselves, pushing his crew to be better firefighters and, more importantly, better individuals. To the men and women who served alongside him, "Cap" was a rockstar—a man of immense wisdom mixed with a legendary sense of mischief.
That same grit and vision defined his work for the City of Russell Wastewater Department and his later years as a Site Manager. Steve possessed a rare mechanical soul; he understood that if you took care of the infrastructure, you took care of the people. But his greatest "save" happened on Main Street. When the Dream Theatre faced the threat of closing forever, Steve stepped into his most vital role as the founder of the Keep the Dream Alive initiative. He was told the theater wouldn't last six months. Steve responded by pouring every ounce of his determination into its revival, rebuilding a legacy brick by brick and projector bulb by projector bulb. He was the hero who ensured that Russell wouldn't just be a safe place to live, but a beautiful place to dream.
Act II: The Captain and the Architect
Steve’s commitment to Russell was defined by a life of service that spanned over a quarter of a century. For 26 years, he stood on the front lines as a member of the Russell Fire Department, ultimately retiring as Captain. He was a leader who didn’t just give orders; he gave of himself. Steve was a mentor who believed in people when they didn't believe in themselves, pushing his crew to be better firefighters and, more importantly, better individuals. To the men and women who served alongside him, "Cap" was a rockstar—a man of immense wisdom mixed with a legendary sense of mischief.
That same grit and vision defined his work for the City of Russell Wastewater Department and his later years as a Site Manager. Steve possessed a rare mechanical soul; he understood that if you took care of the infrastructure, you took care of the people. But his greatest "save" happened on Main Street. When the Dream Theatre faced the threat of closing forever, Steve stepped into his most vital role as the founder of the Keep the Dream Alive initiative. He was told the theater wouldn't last six months. Steve responded by pouring every ounce of his determination into its revival, rebuilding a legacy brick by brick and projector bulb by projector bulb. He was the hero who ensured that Russell wouldn't just be a safe place to live, but a beautiful place to dream.
Act III: The Light That Never Fades
The Legacy Spotlight: Steve Wells
"The Architect of the Modern Dream"
While many hands helped save the building, Steve Wells became the driving force that turned a rescued building back into a living theater. Steve was a visionary who understood that "keeping the dream alive" required more than just paying taxes—it required physical labor, constant innovation, and a heart for service.
From the "Great Rebuild" of the theater’s infrastructure to his work with the City of Russell and the Arts Council, Steve poured his life into these walls. He was the man behind the curtain for our legendary Halloween shows and the face of our fundraising initiatives. Steve didn't just maintain a theater; he built a legacy of community pride. Every time the projector hums to life today, it is a tribute to his tireless dedication.
Steve faced his final battle with cancer the same way he faced a structural fire: with grit, grace, and an unwavering spirit. He took his cross and bore it like a champ for many years, never once asking "Why me?" Even as he moved to Kansas City, his heart remained tethered to Russell. He never missed a chance to come home, jamming out to classic rock and stopping by to see his "extended family" at the fire station and the theater.
Though Steve passed in September 2024, his light has not dimmed. As we celebrate 26 years of the Dream in 2026, we see his influence in every frame of film that lights up the screen. He was a man who lived well and died well, leaving behind a "big hole" on earth but a legacy that shines brighter than our neon marquee. We carry forward his "dark and twisted" humor, his love for a celebratory toast of Fireball, and his relentless passion for this community. Steve, we have the line from here. Every time the lights go down and the magic begins, we are keeping your Dream alive.
Crank it loud, hold it down 'til I get there... and when I do, I hope you got some new stories to tell. 'Til then, give Heaven some hell.
Hardy
Song Title Give Heaven Some Hell
The Epilogue: A Story Still in Motion
Steve believed that the theater was the heart of Main Street. We invite you to help us keep that heart beating. Every donation made in Steve’s honor goes directly toward the preservation and operation of the Dream Theatre, ensuring that the legacy he built over the last 26 years continues for the next generation.
The Legacy Spotlight: Steve Wells
"The Architect of the Modern Dream"
While many hands helped save the building, Steve Wells became the driving force that turned a rescued building back into a living theater. Steve was a visionary who understood that "keeping the dream alive" required more than just paying taxes—it required physical labor, constant innovation, and a heart for service.
From the "Great Rebuild" of the theater’s infrastructure to his work with the City of Russell and the Arts Council, Steve poured his life into these walls. He was the man behind the curtain for our legendary Halloween shows and the face of our fundraising initiatives. Steve didn't just maintain a theater; he built a legacy of community pride. Every time the projector hums to life today, it is a tribute to his tireless dedication.
Steve's Story is Still Moving Forward Throug the Community
Today, the Dream is touched by Steve’s vision in every detail—from the glow of the neon to the laughter in the lobby. His spirit isn’t just a memory; it is the momentum that carries us forward. To honor the man who gave us back our theater, we continue a tradition that has quickly become a community favorite, celebrating Steve’s two great loves: his community and a good, spine-tingling thrill.
In honor of Steve Wells, the visionary behind the “Keep the Dream Alive” movement, we are proud to continue our annual Midnight Movie Night. Now in its third year, this tradition keeps Steve’s mischievous spirit alive in the very auditorium he fought to save.
On the fourth Saturday of every October, the Dream Theatre invites you to a FREE horror movie at midnight. It’s a night for the fans of the strange, the supernatural, and the cinematic—just the way Steve liked it. We’ll crank the sound, dim the lights, and celebrate the man who made sure the show would always go on.
Entertaining Audiences Since 1949
