Steven Louis Phelps

Steven Louis Phelps, 65, of Peru passed away surrounded by loved ones on September 16, 2024.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Tom Redig officiating. Burial will be at Valley Memorial Park in Spring Valley. Visitation will be 4-7:00 PM on Friday at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle. Additional visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Steve was born in La Salle on November 29, 1958 to Richard and Evelan (Summers) Phelps and grew up in Peru. He graduated from La Salle-Peru Township High School in 1976 and from IVCC in 1988. 

Steve married Kristie Koppen on July 8, 1983. Together, they built a beautiful life as they welcomed their children, Alissa and Neal. Kristie passed away on October 22, 1998. Steve later married Debby Johnson on June 20, 2002. They spent many happy years together as a family.

Steve started his professional career with Sears as a teenager in the La Salle catalog store. He had the opportunity to own and operate this store, which was selected as the pilot for Sears’ Hometown Dealer Store concept. Steve was then selected as the first nationwide owner for this new store ownership model.  He and Kristie built and opened the charter Sears Hometown Dealer Store in Peru in 1993. They opened a second dealer store in Ottawa in 1995. Later in his Sears career, Steve held various management positions.  

Steve enjoyed the simple things in life; mowing the lawn on his Craftsman tractor, a beautiful day for golfing, the sunset on a beach vacation, spending time with dear friends, and being a lifelong Chicago Bears fan. Above all else, Steve was the living example of positivity, strength and devotion. He never met a stranger. He embraced everyone with his warm smile. He was a true family man in every sense of the word. Those who loved him knew how important they were to him. 

Steve is survived by his wife Debby of Peru; daughter Alissa (Brandon) Kays of Granville; son Neal (Michael Cunio) Phelps of New York, NY; grandchildren Beckett and Caroline of Granville; sister Sandra Kosciewicz of Peru; brother Scott (Joann) Phelps of La Salle; sister-in-laws Donelle Johnson of Milwaukee, WI, Diane (Charles) Peterson of Shelby Township, MI; Dorie Johnson of Tilton, IL and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kristie; parents Evelan and Richard Phelps; step-father Jerome Liesse; sister Susan Lynn Phelps in infancy; brother-in-law Donald Kosciewicz and his In-laws, Erminia and Richard Koppen, and Ruth and Donald Johnson. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

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