Birth date: Dec 7, 1947 Death date: Jan 5, 2024
Stephen F. John, 76, died at home on January 5, 2024 after a brief , devastating battle with cancer. Steve was born December 7, 1947 in Washington D.C., the fifth and youngest child of James E. and Helen McAlear John. He was prede Read Obituary
I met Steve when he was a candidate for state representative and I was the Chairman of the Effingham County Democrats. His district included only a small sliver of our county but Steve made multiple trips here. I was always impressed with him and always happy to see him. When I decided to run for Rep in 2018, Steve was one of the people I sought out for guidance. He was happy to meet with me and sitting down to lunch with him after a 15 year gap felt like we had picked up a friendship right where we had left it.
Steve was simply a wonderful human being. Please accept my sympathy for your family’s loss. Steve’s passing is a loss for us all.
Dear Cluney and family, I just heard today that Steve died. I am so sorry. I offer my sincere condolences and sympathy. I thank God for Steve for his person, his ideals, his justice and peace actions, ways of sharing truth, for his goodness and willingness to share his talents (playing guitar).I witnessed how he stood up and spoke up for justice re: many social justice issues. He was a faithful volunteer and member of our Macon County Citizens Opposing Capital Punishment organization for several years. He helped to influence our legislators to abolish the death penalty in Illinois. I pray he is celebrating his new life with God to the fullest. Cluney, I pray that you experience God's peace and strength. Sister JoAn Schullian, OSF
Dear Cluney and family,
So sad to learn of Steve's passing. He was a good, conscientious man who loved his family and hi God. It was such a good experience to play and sing music with him during the many years at St Thomas. May your wonderful memories help carry you through this difficult time. God bless all!
Candy (Heneghan) Carroll & Steve
Hermitage TN
Cathy Heneghan
Lebanon TN
Our sympathies to you Cluney. We have fond memories of Steve and I playing music together, him Bob Dylan and I John Denver. God Bless you and your family at this time.
I met Steve in 1987. I was the cofounder of the second neighborhood association, Lakeview Area Improvement, and Steve was walking the area to meet and greet people. We immediately connected in our interests for neighborhoods and to improve the natural environment. In 1993, a partnership first created by Kevin McSherry and Gary Anderson to reduce sediment in Lake Decatur was passed on to Steve, Keith Alexander, Tim Hoffman and the Board of the Macon County Soil and Water District. A national watershed award was won due to the work of Steve, Keith, Tim and our District staff, especially Tim McMahon. When the District no longer led the vision, due to Tim Hoffman and I leaving, Steve and Tim McMahon carried on thru Steve's work and his creation of the Agriculture Watershed Institute.
To Cluney, Emily, Danny and Matt, I share these thoughts: There are many people in the rural and urban areas and throughout the U.S. who know what Steve's efforts did to improve the Sangamon River and its Watershed. He may not have completed the work, but what Steve and others did made a difference. A difference is all that our Creator God asks of us. Our God has now led Steve to lie down in green pastures and has led him to sit beside the still and always clean waters, and has restored his soul. I will miss you, Steve, but hope some day to see you along that river. Marilyn Parker, former Executive Director of of the Macon County Soil & Water Conservation District and Foundation.
Our deepest sympathy to Cluney and family. We will remember Steve fondly. He will be missed. We are so sorry for your loss.
Cathy and Harry Walton
