Steven Leslie Marheine

Steven Leslie Marheine, 68, passed away in Glendale, AZ on February 19, 2020 after a short, but hard-fought battle with lung cancer. Born January 1, 1952 he was a son to Albert and Arline (Shay) Marheine. A 1970 graduate of Chippewa Falls High School; Steve enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 11th, 1970. He was honorably discharged 3 months before marrying the love of his life, Rosanne, on July 13th 1974, which was 6 years, to the day, of their blind date.
After the leaving the Air Force, Steve worked for his father-in-law and then continued his career as a mechanic for Winnebago County until he moved his family to Chandler, Arizona in 1990. Steve worked as a bus mechanic in Arizona until 2001, when he and Rosanne returned to Rockford, Illinois to be near their children and grandchildren. Steve began working for Rockford Mass Transit doing building maintenance until he retired on September 11th, 2018. Steve and Rosanne then returned to Arizona to enjoy retirement. Before long Steve found himself once again doing building maintenance along side his son for Litchfield Elementary School District. Steve resigned his position with the school district in November 2019 after receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer.
Steve was a faithful man who loved his family deeply. He took great pride in his titles of “dad”, “pops”, “papa”, and “grandpa” and cherished time spent with his family. Anyone who met Steve almost instantly liked and respected him. Steve was kind beyond measure. He had a quick wit and knew just how to make a joke that made you think twice about the meaning of the punch line. Steve was detail oriented and loved working with his hands. He was often found listening to Elvis or country music, watching M.A.S.H., westerns, working on his cars, or tinkering with anything and everything. Steve enjoyed being outside and never hesitated to wait to mow the lawn until he could have one of his grandchildren along, sitting on his knee.
Survived by his loving wife Rosanne (Barnum); children Jodi (John) Davis and Ryan (Kristen) Marheine; grandchildren Samantha, Emily, Justin and Allyson Dhuse, Brooklynn Jones, Rylee and Jordan Marheine; great-grandchild Ava Dhuse-Jones. Sister Marge (LaMoine) Meyer; Brother Mike (Dawn) Marheine; Brother and sister in laws Stephen and Roxanne Siekmann, Carol Barnum, and Bruce and Tracey Barnum; nieces and nephews Toby Meyers, Polly Jensen , Betsey (Tim) Bohlinger, Jason Marheine, Jenny (Jeff) Stewart, Renee (Jason) Natzke, Christopher (Carly) Siekmann, Stacey Emerton, Jessica (Matt) Grundy, Kristen Barnum, John Barnum.
He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Arline Marheine; in-laws John and Beverly Barnum; brothers and brother in law Dan Marheine, Bill Marheine, David Barnum; and sister-in-law, Carol Marheine; and great-nephew, Jack Natzke.
Visitation for Steve will take place Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 North Rockton Avenue Rockford, Illinois 61103 from 3p.m. until 5p.m. Funeral service will take place at 11a.m. with visitation beginning at 10a.m. until time of service on Monday, March 2nd at St. Andrew Church, 511 W Rockton Rd, Rockton, IL 61072.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of Palo Verde Cancer Center – Glendale and Hospice of the Valley – Thunderbird Palliative Care Unit; we are eternally grateful for the care that was given.