John Stegman

John Joseph Stegman, 86, of Ottawa, IL passed away on September 13, 2025 after a strong two year battle with cancer.

John was born on August 3, 1939 in Morris, IL to Ned and Helen (Connor) Stegman. He graduated from Minooka High School and attended Knox College. He served in the Vietnam War with Army Security Forces from 1962 - 1965. While serving in the Army, he received a Letter of Commendation as well as a Presidential Unit Citation from John F. Kennedy.

John married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lundstrom, on February 20, 1960. Together they raised three children: Johnna, Joette, and Philip. Mary passed away on May 17, 1988. John later married Jean Ursini in 1989.

John was a lifelong carpenter and custom home builder. He owned his own company, Stegman Homes, where he prided himself on building homes for families and generously helping others.

John was known for being a class act and for being down to business, but more importantly, he will be remembered for his love of family, friends, and showing what it meant to be a good neighbor. When asked to describe him, loved ones said: strong, compassionate, kind, loving, dependable, honorable, responsible, loyal, determined, caring, a visionary, and "my hero".

John is survived by his wife, Jean; his brother, Edward "Mike" Stegman; his daughter, Johnna (Curt) Shryack; his son, Philip (Tammy) Stegman; his stepson, Joe (April) Widman; his grandchildren, Sara (Joe) Strong, Sandy (Josh) Daggett, Lucas Svendsen, Lindsay Svendsen, Mariah (Chris) Hansen, Josie Stegman, Jenna Stegman, Erin (Aaron) Boe, and Wyatt Widman; and his great grandchildren, Abby, Cooper, Josey, Isabella, Max, Jax, Simon, and Lucy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ned and Helen; his first wife, Mary; his daughter, Joette, his brother, Alfred Stegman; and his sister in laws, Joyce Stegman and Lori Stegman.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, from 10:00am until 11:00am at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Earlville. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00am with military honors being rendered after mass. Burial will be in St. Theresa's Cemetery in Earlville and in Angel Fire, New Mexico at a later date.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Boe, Robert Dolder, Donald McLachlan, Chris Sanford, Lucas Svendsen, and Roy Weiman.

"John, you are loved, made our lives better, and will be missed. You worked hard your entire life and now you can rest peacefully and free from pain. See you again. Let's go."