Reverend Stephen T. Sotiroff

1955 - 2024

Reverend Stephen T. Sotiroff

January 20, 1955 - July 21, 2024

ALTON -Reverend Stephen T. Sotiroff, age 69, of Alton and formerly of Granite City and Decatur, IL, passed away at his home on Sunday, July 21, 2024. He was born January 20, 1955, in East St. Louis, IL, a son of Chris A. and the late Betty Ann (Bulczak) Sotiroff.

Fr. Stephen served as a Roman Catholic priest with the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois for 43 years. He was ordained on May 30, 1981, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, IL, and served his first Mass at his hometown parish of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Decatur, IL, on May 31, 1981. He served many assignments within the Diocese. He was currently serving as Chaplain of St. Anthony's Medical Center in Alton, IL, also serving as Catholic Spiritual Mentor Chaplain and a founding member of the School of Faith Mentorship Program through the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS. He had also worked at the Vandalia Correctional Center for 16 years as a chaplain while keeping his duties as pastor in two parishes and was involved with Marriage Encounter for ten years.

Fr. Stephen was a priest of wise council and his faithful service through his dedication to God. He was known to have been humble, generous to others, a great confessor and great leader. He loved his coffee, enjoyed playing the piano, had a keen eye for detailing cars, enjoyed days of walking or biking and had a sense of humor that he loved to share.

He is survived by his father, Chris A. Sotiroff of Decatur, IL; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Marge Sotiroff of Decatur, IL, and Edward and Mary Sotiroff of Elburn, IL; a sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Anthony Tsigolaroff of Forsyth, IL; many nieces; nephews; great nieces; great-nephews; close family friend, Sr. Susan Pieper of Overland Park, KS; other extended family and many friends.

In celebration of his life, a visitation will be held at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon, IL, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 519 East 4th Street in Alton, IL, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024, with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki as celebrant and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann as homilist. Burial will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to the Holy Family School of Faith Institute and can be accepted at the funeral chapel or online at www.schooloffaith.com, or can made to masses. Family and friends may visit our website at www.irwinchapel.com to view service information or to leave condolences to the family.

Let us remember Fr. Stephen's ordination prayer from Therese of Lisieux, "As we hope in God, so shall we receive."