Steven Still

HILLARD, Ohio - Steven Michael Still, 80, of Hilliard, Ohio, formerly of Carlinville, passed away Thursday (July 10, 2025) at home.

Steven was born Sept. 15, 1944, in Carlinville, to Charles Virgil "Mike" and Christina Marie (Kaufman) Still. Steven was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Kay (Gerald) Vance.

Steven is survived by his wife, Carolyn McKenzie; three sons, Steven McKenzie (Faith) Still, Shannon Michael (Jennifer) Still and Kilian (Monica) Pohl; two daughters, Stephanie Michelle (Kevin) Stockton and Sara Maria (Jason) Crawford; 10 grandchildren, Steven, Bruce, Harrison, Robert, Charles and Helena Still, Charlotte, Adeline and Jacob Stockton and Maximilian Pohl; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Steven wished to be remembered first and foremost as a husband and father, a friend, a teacher and a passionate horticulturist. He grew up on the Still family farm on Rural Route 4, Macoupin Station Road, in Carlinville. His early education began at the small Plainview school, where he graduated from sixth grade alongside just three classmates.

Gardening was a central part of Steve's upbringing. Like many families of the time, the Stills grew much of their own food. Steve's interest in horticulture blossomed early - by 11, he was selling some produce to local grocers, and at just 14, he placed among the top 14 participants in the National 4-H Vegetable Judging Contest in Washington, D.C. Along with his parents, he enjoyed entering produce competitions at fairs in Macoupin, Greene and Jersey counties.

In high school, Steve relished the freedom of driving into town to spend time with friends, including the members of the DQ Gorillas softball team. He fondly recalled competing on the Carlinville High School cinder track and the "souvenirs" it left in his knees.

After graduation, he pursued higher education at the University of Illinois, earning degrees in soils (bachelor's degree), agriculture education (master's) and horticulture (Ph.D.). Steve loved routing for the Fighting Illini and remained a football season ticket holder and rarely missed a televised basketball game. He was the president of the Eta chapter of Kappa Delta Rho, and his life resembled the fraternity's motto: "Honor above all things." He later served as president of the chapter's alumni board.

Following his master's degree, Steve was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. During a period of R&R, he married Carolyn McKenzie on Jan. 27, 1970, in Hawaii. Their marriage was the beginning of a loving family life that brought Steve his greatest pride and joy.

A devoted father, Steve rarely missed his children's events, and he cheered for their variety of interests as if they were his own - be they sports, academic competitions or musical/theatrical performances. You would often see him with a stopwatch, stat sheet, sports section of newspaper or camcorder and always with a word of encouragement. Later, when his children attended Ohio State University, he would enjoy sharing with them lunches, meetings and meaningful conversation in his campus office. Likewise, he leaned into the interests of each grandchild.

Steve's 30-year teaching career began as a teaching and research assistant at the University of Illinois, where he quickly realized the need for a better textbook on plant identification. This led him to write "Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants," which went on to be adopted by more than 100 colleges and universities; you can also spot worn copies on potting benches and desks in the nursery trade.

In 1974, Steve accepted a faculty position at Kansas State University, where he enjoyed researching plant hardiness in the challenging climate of the Flint Hills. The proximity to Fort Riley, with its constant training exercises and home to the Big Red One, sometimes stirred memories of his time in Vietnam. While at Kansas State, he received the International Plant Propagators' Society's Most Outstanding Research Award for his groundbreaking work on using hardwood bark in potting media - an innovation that transformed greenhouse practices worldwide.

In the fall of 1979, Steve joined Ohio State University's Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, where he spent the majority of his 30-year academic career, teaching and mentoring more than 4,000 students. When once asked what he was most proud of, he replied, "Working with students and seeing the success they have gone on to achieve - in and out of horticulture - carving their niche, while making their mark on the world." 

Steven was appointed the first director of the Chadwick Arboretum at Ohio State and helped develop the vision and mission to collect and preserve the trees, while creating a classroom for students in their horticultural studies. Today, the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens is a green reserve of more than 60 acres, in addition to specimen across the entire university.

In 1983, after receiving many questions from the nursery growers about perennials, Steven organized a symposium, sponsored by Ohio State, that is believed to be the first devoted only to perennials. After the program, visionary leaders Jim Beam and Jim Kyle of Ohio, Ainie Busse of Minnesota and Pierre Bennerup of Connecticut met with Steven to create the permanent group that became the Perennial Plant Association. Steve served as its executive director for 35 years.

Steve traveled extensively, visiting gardens in nearly 30 countries and leading more than two dozen international tours. These journeys enriched his teaching and writing and fostered a close-knit community of fellow garden enthusiasts. His photography has been featured in numerous books and magazines. If pressed to identify his favorite trip, it was likely one made with his traveling companions, the Ratzenputz Gang.

Steven served as a director on many industry boards, including as president of the International Plant Propagators' Society, the American Horticultural Society and Tri-Village Sertoma. A few notable accolades include the Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of America, the LC Chadwick Education Award from the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award from the American Horticultural Society. Trees have been planted in his honor in Kansas, Ohio and other locations.

Steve remained committed to public service and education throughout his life. He especially valued causes that promoted horticulture and lifelong learning. He would be honored by a memorial gift by individual choice or to any of the following organizations:

- The Steven M. Still Learning Garden at the Chadwick Arboretum, Ohio State University. Fund Code: GF646974.

- The Macoupin County Fair Vegetable and Floral Awards.

- The Macoupin County Historical Society.

- The ACES Academy at the University of Illinois, supporting children's summer programs.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, 260 Woodlawn Acres, Carlinville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, at Ss. Mary & Joseph Catholic Church, 2010 E. First South St., Carlinville. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, Carlinville.

Visit davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory.