Steven Fannin

Steven C. Fannin, 71, of Morris, Illinois, passed away December 25, 2020 due to complications of kidney disease.

He was born in Camp Dix, Kentucky on February 8, 1949, the son of Lennie and Opal (Gilliam) Fannin. Steve graduated from Morris Community High School. He received a football scholarship to attend Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he pledged the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He also received his Masters in Education from Illinois State University as well as completed all coursework towards a doctorate in Education. He married Mary Sabatini on December 29, 1978 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Spring Valley, Illinois.

Steve began his career as a teacher at Minooka Community High School, where he also coached football. He was then hired at Hall High School in Spring Valley as a Science teacher and football and wrestling coach. He then served as principal of Hall High School until 1992, when he was hired as the Superintendent of Freeburg Community High School, in Freeburg, IL. In 1997, Steve returned to his alma mater and became the Superintendent of Morris Community High School. He successfully and honorably finished his career in education at Morris, retiring in 2007. He was active in the Morris Rotary Club, the American Cancer Society (where he chaired the Relay for Life for multiple years), and numerous other community organizations. He was inducted into the Culver-Stockton College Sports and Education Hall of Fame. In his retirement, he also served as the Wauponsee Township Supervisor.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary. Three children: Adam of Morris, IL; Stephen Michael (Misun Kim) of South Korea; and Molly (Samuel Alcarez) of Chicago. Grandchildren Lyla, Amelia, and Benjamin of South Korea; and Maxine of Chicago. He is also survived by six siblings: Clara Scaman and Dr. Shirley Fannin of Morris, IL; Gerald Fannin of Orlando, FL; Phyllis Wheeler of Marseilles, IL; Carol Jean Rose of Plano, TX; and Valerie Fannin of Burbank, CA.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Lennie and Opal Fannin of Morris and his sister Lynn Less of Reseda, CA.

The family will receive friends for a COVID observant and walk through visitation on Wednesday morning December 30, 2020 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block east of Illinois Route 47) in Morris. Due to current pandemic guidelines, face masks will be required for attendees and measures of safe social distancing practices will be in order. The funeral home staff will assist the family not to exceed the safe number set forth for the visitation.

Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson Street in Morris. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Jason Stone presiding and Deacon Paul Jung assisting.

Those wishing to participate in Steve’s funeral service online are welcome to join the live-streamed service beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. This virtual service is accessible through a link available on Steve’s memorial page.

Burial will be in Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Morris.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Steve's memory to:

Rush Abdominal Transplant Fund at Rush University Medical Center. Please send memorial gifts to Rush University Medical Center, 1201 W. Harrison St., Ste. 300, Chicago, IL 60607-3319 or visit http://rush.convio.net/SFannin

Morris Hospital Emergency Department
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1422113/mdonate

Immaculate Conception School
https://ics1.org/?page_id=988

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Steve’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/Steven-Fannin

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris (815) 942-2500 .