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Stephen Heath Obituary
BARTONVILLE - Stephen W. Heath, age 61, of Bartonville, Ill., passed away at 3:15 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2006, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
He was born June 6, 1945, to Bill and Doris (Cutler) Heath in Denver, Colo., and grew up in Waukegan, Ill. He married his high school sweetheart, Lynn Yaeger, on Aug. 19, 1967, in Waukegan. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Shannon (and Todd) Watkins of Long Grove, Iowa, and Danielle (and Paul) Garbis of Plainfield, Ill.; and two grandchildren, Alexandria and Peyton Watkins. Also surviving are two sisters, Jan Brehm of Macomb and Jill (and Riley) Love of Paducah, Ky.; one brother, Terry Heath of San Diego, Calif.; and wonderful, caring extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Steve loved to fish, golf, play bridge and play 16-inch Chicago-style softball. He was an enthusiastic Bradley basketball fan and an avid White Sox fan - one of Peoria's seven White Sox fans before Jim Thome joined the team. He was a devoted family man - devoted to his wife, Lynn, of 38 years, his daughters and grandchildren. He absolutely loved Oak Grove School, his neighbors, friends and his OFL group.
Steve's education includes a B.A. from Western Illinois University in 1968, his M.A. in educational supervision and administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago in 1975, and in 1984, he received his superintendent endorsement from WIU.
His professional experience includes being a teacher at Beach Park School District from 1969 to 1976, principal of Oak Grove West Junior High School from 1976 to 1989, and superintendent of Oak Grove School District from 1989 to 2001. Upon his retirement from Oak Grove, the school honored him by naming the Oak Grove gym, the Heath Gymnasium. From 2002 until the time of his death, he was the assistant regional superintendent.
He was an officer of the Peoria County Interscholastic Association for over 10 years, member of IASA (Illinois Association of School Administrators) for 12 years, board member of the YMCA for redeveloping Raccoon Lakes, chairman of Peoria County Audio/Visual CoOp, board member of Mid-Illini Consortium, a founding father of Limestone Girls Softball Association, president of the Limestone Area Administrators, a member of the SEAPCO Board and OFL commissioner. He was involved in school improvement plans for many school districts in the Peoria area.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 22, 2006, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 23, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bartonville, where visitation will be one half hour prior. The Rev. Philip Lund will officiate.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, OSF St. Francis Oncology-1700, or to the American Diabetes Association. For online tributes and condolences please visit our Web site at www.mem.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Heath
Carolynn Tiraboschi
June 26, 2006
Lynn & family: My daugher (Andrea Anderson Rymer) and I were saddened to hear of Steve's passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark Addler
June 24, 2006
Lynn; I am so sorry to hear about Steve's death. We all loved him so much. I appreciate what a wonderful teacher he was, even to a 40-something year old schoolboard member. The best tribute to someone is the lives they are able to touch and friends they make. All of my memories of Steve are with a smile. We will miss him so much.
Mark Addler
Tammy Williams and Family
June 24, 2006
Dearest Family,
Mr. Heath was a great superintendent and a wonderful man. He was my principal his first year at West and my kids had him as a superintendent at East. He made school fun and he always knew just the right thing to say to us. His words had a profound and positive impact on our lives to which we will always be grateful. Our family was also fortunate to have known him from church. We will miss his smile. We have been blessed to have known him. You are all in our prayers at this time.
Gene @ Brenda Grotts
June 23, 2006
Be Still
Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.
Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.
If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.
gene grotts
June 23, 2006
Gene@Brenda Grotts
Doug De Thorne
June 22, 2006
Dear Lynn and Family,
We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Steve. Please know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers since Bill Weber called us on Monday. We're sorry that we can't be with you tonight or tomorrow. Steve will be dearly missed by all that knew him. Blessings to you and your Family. Doug & Marijo De Thorne
John Frye
June 22, 2006
Lynn - Bill Weber sent a notice of Steve's passing. It reminded me of the many good times in Waukegan when we were growing up. Marcia and I express our most sincere condolences. May our belief in the resurrection of our Lord, be of great comfort to you and your family in this time.
Heather Post
June 22, 2006
Mrs. Heath and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. He had such a great life and I know he loved you all so much. I start to tear up when I think about what a kind man he was. Whenever he saw me, I got a great big "Mr. Heath hug". The last time I saw you guys was at a Bradley game, and I think that is how I would like to remember him. My family is thinking about you and praying for you.
Sherry and Justin Rose
June 21, 2006
Lynn, Shannon, Danielle and family .. our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Steve was such a wonderful person and we feel blessed to have been able to have lived next to your family for so many years. I will always remember his cheerful smile and robust laugh. He will be truly missed but his memory will always live on in our hearts.
With Deepest Sympathy
LGSA
June 21, 2006
Limestone Girls Softball Association extends its deepest condolences to the family of Stephen Heath. In respect for our Founding Father, LGSA's flag will be flown at half mast during our Founder's Day weekend through the remainder of the month of June.
Barbara Suelter
June 21, 2006
Lynn and family: Being out of town means that you sometimes lose touch, but it doesn't mean that you forget. I was sent a note from a friend telling me about Steve. Steve was a good friend and colleague. I have so many good memories of our times together. He was always talking about you and the girls. His smile and laugh were always as big as all outdoors. My special condolences to you and your whole family. He will be missed by many.
Ron Naden
June 21, 2006
Lynn, I'm sorry to hear about Steve. I know it has been a long time since i've seen the both of you,but i will still miss him. Your old friend, Ron Naden
Brad Kehl
June 21, 2006
He was a great friend and neighbor. He will truely be missed.
Roger Alvey
June 21, 2006
The Limestone Walters School community extends its thoughts and prayers to the Heath family. Although I only knew Steve for four years, I felt I knew him for a lifetime. His everlasting laugh and smile will be forever be embedded in my mind. Having lost my own mother six years ago to cancer, I understand and appreciate the tremendous hardship that you, the family, has gone through. Hang in there! It will get easier.
Sincerely,
Roger Alvey, superintendent, Limestone Walters School
Derek Pitzer
June 21, 2006
Wow, Mr. Heath was an amazing man. Always there to help out in school in any way he could. It was wonderful to know him in a school setting, but it was even better to know him in a personal setting. He was always a smiling face at church with a hand shake and a "HI". This former student will miss him.
Mary Otahal
June 21, 2006
Lynn, my heart is heavy thinking of what you and your girls are going through right now. Please know that I am thinking of you all and praying for comfort and peace for you as you go through this very difficult time.
Sharon & Sherman Risius
June 21, 2006
To the Heath family - We love you all. We have never known a man who loved life and his family as much as Steve. We will miss him dearly.
Laura
June 21, 2006
Mr. Heath was a wonderful principal. I'll always remember him.
Jeffrey Guppy
June 21, 2006
Mr. Heath,you were a great roll model I always looked up to you with respect,You always did an awsome job with us kids.
My deepest sympathies,may GOD comfort you in your time of sorrow.
Merry and Don Willock
June 21, 2006
He will always be remembered for the lessons he gave, the life he shared and the love he showered, in his own way.
We pray that all your beautiful memories of him will comfort you and bring you His peace, someday.
Love and Prayers to you and your family,
Merry and Don Willock
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