Stephen R. Alvin Obituary (1928

Stephen R. Alvin of Henry, 95, passed away Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at Evergreen Senior Living in Chillicothe. Born Feb. 8, 1928, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Dr. Ernest E. Alvin and Lena Walling Alvin, Steve married Mary Elizabeth Shutt on June 12, 1954. She preceded him in death on Oct. 18, 1998. He is survived by two sons, Stephen Jr. (Ruby) of Henry, and Eric of Normal, as well as daughter Judith (Gary) Eyler; grandchildren Dr. Stephen (Jacqueline) Eyler and Dr. Elizabeth (Vincent) Eyler Allen; and great-grandchildren Sadie and Luke Eyler, all of Dunlap. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Mae Dezern of Columbus, IN, and numerous nieces and nephews. Steve grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Thiel College in Greenville, PA. He later served as a sergeant in the US Air Force where, while stationed at Fort Knox, KY, he met his future wife Mary, who was his roommate's sister. Steve then began a long career with J & L (later LTV) Steel, first in Pittsburgh and then, in 1967, at a new facility in Hennepin, IL. Steve and Mary moved their young family to Henry as Steve served as foreman of the Roll Shop at the new plant. He retired from LTV in 1986. In retirement, Steve kept busy in a variety of ways, including handyman projects for friends and family, assisting his son-in-law with farming, and babysitting his grandchildren as their beloved "Papa." He worked part-time for several years selling cell phones at Rickey Sales & Service/Illinois Valley Cellular in Henry and volunteered as a home-delivered meal driver until he reached the age of 90. In 2017, he had the memorable experience of being part of the Greater Peoria Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Steve was a quiet, kind and tenderhearted man. He dearly loved his family, friends and in-laws, and was dearly loved by them in return. Even in the last decade of his life, he stayed connected to friends he had known since childhood. He enjoyed helping others and could fix (or at least jerry-rig) just about anything. In his younger years, he was fond of duck hunting, bowling and card games, especially gin rummy and duplicate bridge. In his later years, he enjoyed coffee with the gang at the Chestnut Inn and a good western or game show on TV. He was a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Steve was a member of St. John XXIII Parish in Henry. In addition to his wife, Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister, and several brothers- and sisters-in-law. Visitation will be Saturday March 4, 2023 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in Henry, with a Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 AM. Fr. Johns Bosco Mujuni will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Henry Cemetery, where full military rites will be accorded. Memorials can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Ducks Unlimited. Online condolences may be made to: www.calvertmemorial.com.