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Stephen R. Chesler
Stephen R. Chesler
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Stephen Chesler Obituary
Stephen R. Chesler, age 67, of Elizabeth, IL died Monday, July 30, 2007 in Elizabeth. Cremation rites have been accorded and a Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, August 3, 2007, at The Standard Club in Chicago. A second Memorial Gathering will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 6, 2007 at the family's home in Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Chicago Association for Retarded Citizens in Stephen's memory. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com. Steve was born July 3, 1940, the son of Morton C. and Genevieve, nee Stout, Chesler in Chicago. He attended Kenwood Academy in Hyde Park, Chicago and Highland Park High School (Class of 1958). He then attended Grinnell College (Class of 1962) and Northwestern University in Chicago to earn his Law Degree. Steve began his law career as a Public Defender for the City of Chicago. Through the years he worked with the Law Firms of Pearlman and Hecht; Hecht, Chesler and Weiss; Gottlieb and Schwartz; Schwartz and Freeman; Michael Best & Friedrich and most recently Arnstein and Lehr. Many of his clients became his close friends. A one of a kind individual, Steve lived life his way and made friends at all places and points along the way. He deeply loved his family and taking care of his three cats, two dogs, two horses and a donkey. He enjoyed adventure including scuba diving, kayaking and the transformation from lawyer to farmer. Stephen also loved spending his winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with his friends and family. Steve will be dearly missed by his wife, Jill of Elizabeth; two sons, Mark (Belita) Chesler of Santa Monica, CA and Matthew Chesler of New York, NY; two stepsons, Andrew Greene of Toronto, Canada and Michael (Marie-Laure) Greene of San Jose, CA; two grandchildren, Samuel and Genevieve Chesler; and three stepgrandchildren, Benjamin, Chloe and Logan Greene. Steve is preceded in death by his parents, who loved their only child immensely.
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30 Entries
Jerry Goldfarb
September 11, 2007
Dear Jill and Family:
I just learned about the untimely
passing of Steve. I cannot tell you how sorry I was to hear this news. Steve was a remarkable man,who so enjoyed life--and brought a very special enthusiasm to his work,family and friends. His parents were great and their legacy had proudly passed to the next generations.
Steve Umemoto
September 2, 2007
Dear Jill,
We have never met and I only recently reconnected with Steve after over forty years. He was one of those people at Grinnell with whom I always wished I had had more time. It was a great joy to reconnnect by Skype and to contemplate getting together in the coming months. I will miss that and wish to send my profound sympathy to you and your family.
Nancy Leahy
August 30, 2007
Dear Jill and Family,
We just learned of Steve's passing. He was by far the nicest man in Jo Daviess County. He had a unique presence and contagious smile. It was indeed a pleasure to have called him neighbor. May God Bless you and comfort you with this heavy burden and loss.
Nancy & Jim Leahy
Peter & Judy Lederer
August 19, 2007
Dear Jill, Mark & Matt:
No words can describe the feeling of loosing Steve. As others have mentioned, he practiced law as he led his life-with integrity and enthusiasm. Steve had a strong passion for life that influenced all those around him. His wonderful memories are forever.
Love,
Peter & Judy
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John Stiefel
August 12, 2007
I just learned last night that Steve has died. I have known him since my childhood, and we always had a quick and special bond. All of us are lucky to have been associated with him in whatever ways were ours. My deepest condolensces to Jill and his family.
John Stiefel and Lesa Ukman
The Perkins Family
August 10, 2007
We will miss our dear friend Steve beyond measure. I'm sure he's somewhere chomping on a cigar wondering what all the fuss is about. He was a fantastic human being.
Christopher Baker
August 9, 2007
To the Chesler family:
I met Steve 15+ years ago through Jack Schatz, who he was representing as Buyer of a property my father owned in Chicago. Although I was merely the Seller's son(and just new to the R.E.world) Steve treated me with respect, talked to me with interest and sincerity and always made me feel involved. He made an impression on me even to this day. I am saddened to learn of his untimely death. I will remember him each time I pass through Elizabeth on my way to The Galena Territory.
Maurice Fulton
August 8, 2007
I first met Steve when he was only a photo of an infant on the wall of his father's office. Since then (60 years?)he has been my attorney, my trustee, my friend, and a person I will miss.
David Hundrieser
August 8, 2007
Jill...A strong sense of prescence is felt throughout Snipe Hollow! He is in the sunshine and the rain. He will be deeply missed,but always in our hearts. David & Dana Hundrieser
Steven Karras (Bulletproof Film-Chicago)
August 7, 2007
We were so very shocked and saddened to hear about Steve's passing. He championed our production company's many projects, was very generous and was above all a good friend. We will miss him. I extend my most profound condolences to his family, and to his sons, Mark and Matt of whom I have very fond memories from our summers at Camp Menominee.
Judy Riskind
August 6, 2007
Jill - I was shocked and saddened to hear of Steve's death. He was a dear friend in high school and we kept in touch through class reunions. He was a very funny, very special man. Everyone in the Highland Park High School class of 1958 will miss him. We will pay a special tribute to him at our 50th reunion. My love and sympathy go to you and your family. Fondly, Judy Hexter Riskind
Gregory & Susannah Mork
August 6, 2007
Dear Chesler Family,
We would like to extend our condolences to you on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
andy blanc
August 6, 2007
To
the entire chesler family
I have known Stephen most of my life....not only
my own friendship but thru the extension of my brother, and father... who were so very close
to stephen over 30 years. When you talked of stephen....your first thought
was to "SMILE" We all knew steves dad Mort. My deepest condolences to all
who loved him.....There was only ONE steve!.....no one like him!
David Blanc
August 6, 2007
30 years ago, a call from Stephen inviting me to Kayak, changed my life forever. A true friend and companion, we shared life’s adventures and challenges while learning about people and "life itself". Stephen connected with people everywhere and gave the gift of Friendship, Courage and Excitement to all that knew him. His unexpected death is a deep personal loss to the many friends and family. We will all will miss him dearly.
Nancy Hensel
August 5, 2007
Dear Jill, I can't tell how much I I want to tell you that Steve was always so happy and enthusiastic. I know Seymore had just talked to him in July. He will be missed so much. My deepest condolances to you and your family.
gloria taussig
August 4, 2007
Dear Mark,Matt and Jill,
I was so saddened to learn of the untimely death of Steve.. He was one terrefic guy.. always with a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone.. I remembered him coming to Lily Lake with his kayak when the children were oh so young.. He certainly lived his life to the fullest enjoying all his adventures.. I hope that as each day passes the pain will lessen and the wonderful memories linger.. Sending love to all of you,
Amy Klein
August 4, 2007
Steve and Jill were the best landlords I ever had, when they were living in Wrigleyville.
Steve always made me laugh and I always looked forward to seeing him, whether he was outside mowing the lawn or playing with the dogs. Though I hadn't seen Steve for several years, I found it comforting to know that he was in this world, a kind a gentle spirit who ALWAYS had something outrageous to say. He will be greatly missed and thought of often.
George Erwood
August 4, 2007
Dear Family, As a client and later, a friend for over 25 years, I was shocked to hear of Steve's passing. I extend my condolences. George Erwood, Grand Rapids, MI
Tanesha B.
August 3, 2007
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Rev. Ferdinand W. Hargrett
August 3, 2007
To the entire Family: We the Pastor and Members of the Shiloh MB Church extend our deepest sympathy to you. I was shocked to learn of Stephen's untimely death. We were scheduled to have lunch together on Tues. July 31st. Our prayers are with you during this time of bereavement.
JUDITH SUMNER
August 3, 2007
I am sorry to hear of Steve's sudden passing. He was a wonderful friend. I enjoyed working with him at Schwartz & Freeman. A part of me is lost, he will be missed. My condolences to all his family.
Steve on one of his Norwegian Fjord horses.
August 3, 2007
Cricket Trutter Hauff
August 3, 2007
I am sorry to learn of Steve's passing. He was a wonderful friend with a great sense of humor. I enjoyed working with him at the Central Michigan Avenue Association. His dedication to CMAA and others will be missed by all.
Mech Thomas
August 3, 2007
TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY: I am so very sorry to hear of Steve's untimely passing. I will remember him as a genuinely nice man always with a word of interest that made you feel important. He will always be thought of with a smile. My thoughts are with you all during this hard time of healing.
Judge Robert J. Kowalski
August 2, 2007
Steve was a truly good guy who I will miss greatly. A little part of me is diminished with his passing. I have lost a true friend.
Jean Cueva & Family
August 2, 2007
I had known Steve the past 14 years and he was and excellent attorney and more importantly a wonderful, caring and thoughtful friend to me and my family. He will be greatly missed.
God bless him
Elaine fox
August 2, 2007
I am very sad indeed to learn of Steve's untimely death. Although it is a long time since Steve and I were partners at Gottlieb, he always tried to keep in touch and had a good word to say. I remember how he enjoyed life, family and friends. My sympathies extend to Jill and his entire family who meant so much to him.
mort Blanc
August 2, 2007
TO THE FAMILY OF STEPHEN CHESLER: It is with great sadness when I learned of the accident that took the life of my very good friend Steve. I knew Steve well and always admired his adventurous spirit as a young man. Both he and his father represented the highest standards of their profession. Goodbye to a good friend, he will be missed. Mort Blanc & family
Joel Chestler
August 2, 2007
Steve was not only my lawyer, but more important he was a great friend who I didnt see much, but knew he was always there when you needed him. He will be missed by all that knew him. When I heard of his death it effected me deeply.He helped me thru some tough times, he truly was a great friend. Both my wife Lynn and I will miss him, my deepest sympathy to his extended family.
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