Stephen Eric Cremeens
Stephen Eric Cremeens, 67, of Alto Pass, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis after a long, hard fought battle with cancer.
He was born on March 21, 1952, the youngest of three sons, to Max and Ethel Mortimer Cremeens of Carbondale.
He graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 1970, after which he attended college at John A. Logan College in Carterville.
After a year-long courtship, he married Carolyn Wolfe Cremeens on Dec. 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.
He was a loving husband, devoted father, and doting “Papa” to his three grandchildren who were the apples of his eye.
He was a member of the Makanda Masonic Lodge, a gun enthusiast who enjoyed meeting his friends Max and 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 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,
Mr. Cremeens is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Alto Pass; his sons, Sam Cremeens and wife Angela of Whites Creek, Tenn., and Mike Cremeens and his wife Carla of Anna; his daughter and her husbandd, Amy and John Taylor, of Herrin; three grandchildren, Joshua Taylor and Mackenzie Taylor of Herrin and Brayden Cremeens of Anna.
He is survived by his two brothers and their wives, Charles and Patsy Cremeens and Ron and Debbie Cremeens, all of Carbondale; and by his aunt, Lela Cornett of New Mexico;
He also is survived by a treasured friend and neighbor, Margie Black of Alto Pass; brothers-in-law Jimmie Wolfe and Wayne Wolfe; a 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.
He 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, Ill., “Forget Me Not.”
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass, with the Rev. Cliff Waller officiating. Interment was in the Alto Pass Cemetery.
Masonic rites were conducted at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass.
Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass was in charge of arrangements.