Stephen John Suddeth

1944 - 2022

Stephen John Suddeth
Steve Suddeth, age 77, died unexpectedly on February 16, 2022, following a fall on ice at his Gurler Road family farm in DeKalb. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Kaytie Lu (Strine) Suddeth, daughter Stephanie (Brian) Banahan of Batavia and his adored grandchildren Kaytie, Johnny and Kelly Banahan. He was preceded in death by his son Doug.
Patriarch of the Suddeth family in the surrounding area, he was the last living member of the family of Paul and Shirley Suddeth, brothers Stanley and Howard Suddeth and sister Sharon Peterson, all raised on a livestock and grain farm in Paw Paw, IL. He is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Steve was a lifelong farmer who always carried a second fulltime job while operating a 125-acre grain farm. He was a knowledgeable furniture salesman in Waterman, Aurora and DeKalb before he joined the DeKalb Sanitary District in 1989 from which he retired after 21 years. While at the Sanitary District, Suddeth earned the Class 1 Waste Water Treatment License, the highest level certified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. He was the first operator to be licensed at that level in many years, giving DeKalb's Sanitary District a distinction many water districts cannot claim even today. He went on to teach classes at Kishwaukee College training future water treatment operators.
Steve's heart was always on the farm, which he rarely left overnight, and only to attend Farm Shows, seed company meetings, farm sales and flea markets. He had a keen eye for unusual tools and rare antiques. He was also an ardent Chicago sports fan and Huskies supporter. He and his wife Kaytie were able to hang on to a fading family custom – Sunday family dinner – during which he regularly enjoyed the company of his daughter and grandchildren. One of the family's favorite traditions was apple picking in the fall on the farm, followed by taking turns at the wooden apple press, supplying apple juice for immediate and extended family as well as friends and neighbors.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 21, on what would have been Steve's 78th birthday. The Mass will be said at St. Mary Church, 302 Fisk Avenue, DeKalb with Father Matt McMorrow officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb. Reception to follow services.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Suddeth Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.