Steve Koz

STEVEN Steve KOZ, age 58, of Sugar Grove, IL, formerly of North Aurora, passed away suddenly, Sunday, March 22, 2015. Gone too soon, Steve leaves a legacy of love and memories for his family and friends to cherish. He was born on September 11, 1956, in Chicago, IL, the son of Thomas and Doris (Novak) Koz. Steve grew up in Warrenville, IL, and attended local schools. He graduated from Wheaton North High School with the class of 1974. Before he accepted his diploma, Steve played basketball and was involved in gymnastics, while at the same time making a name for himself in automotive, a foundation from which he would later build a career. Following graduation, Steve proudly enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country from the Great Lakes Naval Base, to Tennessee, to Hawaii and Guam. After being honorably discharged, Steve returned to civilian life and began working at Acme Screw in Wheaton. Steve was united in marriage to Faye Bishop and was blessed with an instant family including an additional daughter of their own two years later. After going their separate ways, he became lucky in love a second time when he met Jamie (Schmidt) Keith on a blind-double-date that instantly linked not only their hearts, but their families as well, which now included Jamie’s daughter. They were united in marriage in 1983. Steve not only was a wonderful husband, but he was built to be a dad. It didn’t matter how they came into his life, Steve was father to four children who became his whole world, at least until the eight grandchildren came along. Steve called several places home over the years, but North Aurora claimed him for ten years before he and Jamie settled in Sugar Grove in 1992. In addition to Acme Screw, Steve worked at Midwest Hydraulics and Motor Equipment before joining the team of RWS in 1993. He also plowed snow with Sitarz Landscaping as a hobby. Where there is a will, there is a way, was a mantra that Steve built his work ethic on, as his grease stained hands could attest. He was very proud of not only his service in the Navy, but of all the soldiers who fought to protect his beloved United States of America. He would remind others often that Freedom is never free. Steve was a big time fan of snacking. From Nestle Quick, Chicken in a Biscuit, Thin Mints (an entire case still lives in the freezer), and many more, Steve made sure they were stacked with care in cupboards and pantry of his home. Sugar came into his life as a six week old puppy, and she quickly became his best buddy, much to the chagrin of his daughters. Sugar got to share all his favorite snacks but his girls were often left to fend for themselves. When he watched T.V., Steve loved Storage Wars, Texas Ranger, Counts Customs, Pawn Stars, and various bounty hunter shows, but his guilty pleasure was 90210 (but don’t tell anyone). His truck was his prized possession as well as an ongoing project. Steve added "bells and whistles", making his truck a work of art and one that could be seen, and sometimes heard, from miles and miles away. Steve also loved riding on two wheels (and three when he owned his own trike). He enjoyed riding with Jamie on his Honda Valkyrie touring bike and even after a devastating accident put both their lives in jeopardy, his love of the open road still lived in his heart. Steve loved hats of all kinds, sporting any likeness or oddity, but his favorite (and most often purchased) were his welder hats. Steve was larger than life and lived on his own terms. He will be missed by many and never forgotten. He is survived by his loving wife Jamie;Four children: Tammy (Eric) Powell and son: Alex Cleveland, Jennifer (Craig) Borneman and children: Katelyn, Kelly and Evan Borneman, Mindy (Angela) Koz and children: Brendan and Emily Bales, Gretchen (Scott) Hammer and children, Nicholas and William Hammer;His mother, Doris Koz;His sister, Peggy Benton; Brothers and sisters-in-law: Steve (Linda) Schmidt, Gary (Debbie) Schmidt, Bob (Carol) Schmidt, Marsha Schmidt, Debby Quackenbush, Sharon (Gary) Spatafora;Mother-in-law, Helen Spurgin;Many nieces, nephews, cousins, his former son-in-law, David Cleveland, as well as a family of friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas, sister, Kathryn Johnson and father-in-law, Bud Spurgin. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., with a funeral service to begin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Rev. Mike Neel, Immaneul Lutheran Church, Yorkville, will officiate. Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Steve’s name. Checks may be made to the Steven Koz Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on www.conleycare.com where you can also find his full life story.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., with a funeral service to begin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Pastor Alan Gum, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Chicago, will officiate. Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date.