Stephen Robert Pearson

Born November 13, 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Stephen and Bertha (Kojis) Plasek, he married Lora Zessin on August 13, 1982 in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. She died September 20, 2023 in Hopedale. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Ryan Williams and Emily Williams; and two sisters, Beth Ann Plasek and Stephanie Plasek.

Surviving are two daughters; Amelia (Steven) Williams and Julia (Cameron Dall) Pearson; three grandchildren, Austin Williams, Maria Williams and Jordan Williams; one nephew, Corey (Sarah) Johnson; and Caroline Pfeffer.

Steve was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and served as a Lieutenant Commander.

He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee as an education specialist, and completed his PhD at UW Madison in the year 2000 in administrative leadership. He taught English courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College, and courses in education as an adjunct professor through UW Madison at the UW Richland Center campus.

He was the superintendent in various school districts in Wisconsin over 35 years, retiring in 2000. He had previously taught for 10 years before moving into principal and superintendent positions.

Steve enjoyed spending time with his family and woodworking. Among the myriad projects he completed were foot stools, book cases, end tables, decorative cutting boards, pie cabinets, a dining room table, and a highboy dresser. Always interested in keeping his mind active, he wrote daily, solved word puzzles, and kept an internal card catalog of jokes and stories he could apply to nearly any situation at a moment’s notice.

His visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Inurnment will be 2 p.m. Monday June 17, 2024 at Union Grove Memorial Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Military Honors. There will also be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2024 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pekin. Father Jonathan Butcher will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 343 Buena Vista Avenue, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or Mission of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 128 Washington Street, Hopedale, Illinois 61747.

To express condolences online visit, www.preston-hanley.com