Steven Ira Dreyer

Steven Dreyer lived life on his own terms. With a relentless drive and endless resolve, there wasn't an obstacle he couldn't overcome. He welcomed all challenges, whether big or small, with a smile and open arms. If you were to ask his closest friends and family they would all answer, without hesitation, that Steven Dreyer was the strongest man they had ever known.

But there was so much more to him besides his rugged determination. He was an animal lover, a food connoisseur, a die-hard Chicago sports fan (he even followed and respected the White Sox despite growing up in a Cubs household) and a passionate and extremely talented songwriter, devoting an immeasurable amount of blood, sweat and tears to his craft. He was a successful businessman who took a tiny hole-in-the-wall flooring company and turned it into one which has its products displayed on the shelves of Lowes and Home Depot. He was also an avid traveler, having seen almost every country in the world and it was on one of these trips, 43 years ago, backpacking across Morocco where he met his wife, Mary Lou. They stayed by each other's side ever since.

Throughout his life, Steven was always known as the life of the party, exuding a warm and welcoming energy to anyone lucky enough to be a part of his inner circle. And at the end of the day, family, which he said included his closest friends, was everything to him. He was a cherished (although at times, quite mischievous) son, a loyal brother, a devoted husband and an adoring father who would have gone to the end of the Earth and back for his loved ones.

Steven was, and still is, our hero. We will carry him forever in our hearts.