Stephen Eric Cremeens

Stephen Eric Cremeens, 67, of Alto Pass, Illinois passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, after a long, hard fought battle with cancer. Steve was born March 21, 1952, the youngest of three sons, to Max and Ethel (Mortimer) Cremeens of Carbondale, Illinois. He graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 1970 after which he attended college at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois. After a yearlong courtship, He married Carolyn (Wolfe) Cremeens December 6, 1972. Steve Cremeens was employed by General Telephone Company in 1973 and stayed with the phone company through several changes until he retired from Verizon 37 years later. Steve was a loving husband, devoted father, and doting "Papa" to his three grandchildren who were the apples of his eye. Steve was a member of the Makanda Masonic Lodge, a gun enthusiast that enjoyed meeting his friends Max & Craig at the Mississippi Valley Gun Club for a round of target practice followed by a good meal at Reid's Harvest House and an extensive bull session. He acquired his ham radio license (KD9JOR) and loved to listen to the Get 'Em Up & Off To Work Net every morning. He attended Dutch Ridge Baptist Church, near Pomona, Illinois, when his health allowed. He loved bluegrass music and played the mountain dulcimer. He had a legendary sense of humor and loved pulling pranks on his family, friends and co-workers, Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn of Alto Pass; his sons, Sam Cremeens and wife Angela of Whites Creek, Tennessee, Mike Cremeens and his wife Carla of Anna, Illinois; his daughter and her husband Amy and John Taylor, of Herrin, Illinois; three beautiful grandchildren, Joshua Taylor and Mackenzie Taylor of Herrin and Brayden Cremeens of Anna. Steve is survived by his two brothers and their wives, Charles and Patsy Cremeens, Ron and Debbie Cremeens all of Carbondale, Illinois; and by his aunt, Lela Cornett of New Mexico; And Steve is also survived by a treasured friend and neighbor, Margie Black of Alto Pass; Brother in-laws Jimmie Wolfe and Wayne Wolfe; And by sister in-law and her husband, Brenda and Tony Payne; as well as many extended family members, several nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends and neighbors. Steve was preceded in death by his parents Max Cremeens and Ethel Cremeens Waller. As he stated many times, with a pin he gave to friends and acquaintances he made during his care at Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, Illinois, "Forget Me Not". Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2019 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass with Rev. Cliff Waller officiating. Interment will be in the Alto Pass Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 4, 2019 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Visitation Service Monday, November 4, 2019,5:00PM-7:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 75 North Elm Street Alto Pass, Illinois 62905 Masonic Rites conducted at 6:30 p.m. Memorial/Funeral Service Tuesday, November 5, 2019,11:00AM Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Homes 75 North Elm Street Alto Pass, Illinois 62905 Cemetery Service Tuesday, November 5, 2019,12:00PM Alto Pass Cemetery Rt. 127 North Alto Pass, Illinois 62905