Steven L. Cantrell

1951 - 2022

Steven L. Cantrell
Murrayville - Steven L. Cantrell, 70, of Murrayville, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022, in Jacksonville. He was born November 29, 1951, in Jacksonville, the son of Lloyd and June Knight Cantrell. Steve married Alice Dober Jones on March 14, 2003, and she survives.
Steve is also survived by four children, Krystal Thomas, Chad Cantrell, and Luke (Leah) Cantrell, all of Jacksonville, and Nicole Cantrell of Murrayville; his mother, June Cantrell of Jacksonville, two step-children, Jessica Endres and Zachary Finch of Litchfield; eight grandchildren, Danny Clemons, Allie Bowman, Carrie Bowman, Easton Thomas, Addison Cantrell, Teagan Cantrell, Nash Cantrell, and Brentlee Jones; six step-grandchildren, Bradey Finch, Britney Ratliff, Brenden Finch, Madeline Endres, Carter Turner, and Emma Finch; two step-great-grandchildren, Karliah Finch and Ella Mae Ratliff; and one sister, Suzanne (Greg) Bell of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his father.
Steve was a 1970 graduate of Jacksonville High School and served four years in the United States Air Force. He worked as a highway maintainer for the Illinois Department of Transportation for many years and had previously owned and operated Cantrell Trucking and worked with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Steve was well-known and actively involved in the Murrayville and Jacksonville communities. As a young father, Steve kept busy coaching baseball in Murrayville, traveling to Gus Macker basketball tournaments, and refereeing and coaching his children's sports. He was the longest-serving member of the Jacksonville School District board of directors, having been selected to the board in 2007. Upon the closure of the Jacksonville Theatre Guild, Steve founded the Dream Center Foundation with the purpose of helping children learn the basics of life and lead them on a path to success. He operated a food truck around Morgan County to benefit the Dream Center, and that truck became a popular attraction at the Morgan County Fair, Lake Jacksonville boat races, Prairieland Heritage Museum, Queen of Hearts drawing in Woodson, and many other local events. He also was active in the FFA Alumni and could be seen grilling at every home basketball game. In addition, Steve was a longtime member of the Murrayville United Methodist Church and enjoyed attending auctions and thrift sales. He will be remembered for his generosity to others.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with burial and military rites at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Jacksonville Dream Center Foundation. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.