An Amazing Teacher, Christian, and Inspiration to all.
He had a deep passion for bicycling and died while training.
He will always be remembered for his great love and dedication that he put forth toward his students.
Obituary:
Stephen Ray McCommons, 52, of Benton passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 2008, in Benton.
Everyone is encouraged to come and celebrate the life of Steve with us. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Benton Consolidated High School East Gym, with funeral services imediately following at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Mark Minor will officiate.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Stephen Ray McCommons Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the visitation or at Benton Consolidated High School, 511 E. Main, Benton, IL 62812.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Steve was born on Sept. 15, 1956, in Benton, the son of Van C. and Lodema (Eddleman) McCommons.
He was a 1974 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School, where he was an outstanding football, basketball and track athlete. He then attended Georgia Tech University on a football scholarship and received a B.S. in chemical engineering.
He began his career at Inland Steel Coal Company and was soon promoted to general manager. Because of his determination and commitment to excellence, he became the youngest mine superintendent in Inland history. He worked in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia with Inland and Consolidated Coal.
He returned to Benton in 1996 and earned his master's degree in education from Southern Illinois University. He was a teacher, coach and mentor, all while at BCHS. During this school year he was teaching physics, chemistry and algebra, and coaching Scholar Bowl. His presence and unique style of teaching will be sorely missed for years to come.
Everyone who met Steve quickly became aware of his intense love of Christ and family. Though large and strong, he quickly became tender when talking about his family or his Savior. He attended Whittington Church, where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. Steve was also an ordained minister, who was active in ministry for the last 30 years.
Steve had many hobbies, including cycling, hunting, fishing and playing with his grandkids. He was a huge supporter of the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech. His legacy lives on through his three children, who wish everyone could have a daddy like Steve.
He married his high school sweetheart, SaLinda (Aaron), on Sept. 26, 1975. During their 33-year marriage, they became best friends, and their relationship will always be a shining example.
Steve is survived by his wife, SaLinda, of Benton; daughter, Erin Theiss and husband, Jeremiah, of Creve Coeur, Mo.; two sons, Jeremy McCommons and wife, Jessica, of Spotsylvania, Va., and Casey McCommons and wife, Erin, of Ina; five grandchildren, Logan and Landon Theiss, Caden McCommons, and Laney and Ethan McCommons; brothers and sisters, George McCommons of Dongola, Judy Dixon and husband, Bill, of Benton, Vanita Neve and husband, Louis, of Macomb, Mary Holman of Ewing, and Wesley McCommons and wife, Lois, of Olathe, Kan.; father-in-law, Bob Aaron of Benton; and brother-in-law, Brad Aaron and wife, Robin, of Benton.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Patricia "Patt" Aaron.
He had a deep passion for bicycling and died while training.
He will always be remembered for his great love and dedication that he put forth toward his students.
Obituary:
Stephen Ray McCommons, 52, of Benton passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 2008, in Benton.
Everyone is encouraged to come and celebrate the life of Steve with us. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Benton Consolidated High School East Gym, with funeral services imediately following at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Mark Minor will officiate.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Stephen Ray McCommons Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the visitation or at Benton Consolidated High School, 511 E. Main, Benton, IL 62812.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Steve was born on Sept. 15, 1956, in Benton, the son of Van C. and Lodema (Eddleman) McCommons.
He was a 1974 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School, where he was an outstanding football, basketball and track athlete. He then attended Georgia Tech University on a football scholarship and received a B.S. in chemical engineering.
He began his career at Inland Steel Coal Company and was soon promoted to general manager. Because of his determination and commitment to excellence, he became the youngest mine superintendent in Inland history. He worked in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia with Inland and Consolidated Coal.
He returned to Benton in 1996 and earned his master's degree in education from Southern Illinois University. He was a teacher, coach and mentor, all while at BCHS. During this school year he was teaching physics, chemistry and algebra, and coaching Scholar Bowl. His presence and unique style of teaching will be sorely missed for years to come.
Everyone who met Steve quickly became aware of his intense love of Christ and family. Though large and strong, he quickly became tender when talking about his family or his Savior. He attended Whittington Church, where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. Steve was also an ordained minister, who was active in ministry for the last 30 years.
Steve had many hobbies, including cycling, hunting, fishing and playing with his grandkids. He was a huge supporter of the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech. His legacy lives on through his three children, who wish everyone could have a daddy like Steve.
He married his high school sweetheart, SaLinda (Aaron), on Sept. 26, 1975. During their 33-year marriage, they became best friends, and their relationship will always be a shining example.
Steve is survived by his wife, SaLinda, of Benton; daughter, Erin Theiss and husband, Jeremiah, of Creve Coeur, Mo.; two sons, Jeremy McCommons and wife, Jessica, of Spotsylvania, Va., and Casey McCommons and wife, Erin, of Ina; five grandchildren, Logan and Landon Theiss, Caden McCommons, and Laney and Ethan McCommons; brothers and sisters, George McCommons of Dongola, Judy Dixon and husband, Bill, of Benton, Vanita Neve and husband, Louis, of Macomb, Mary Holman of Ewing, and Wesley McCommons and wife, Lois, of Olathe, Kan.; father-in-law, Bob Aaron of Benton; and brother-in-law, Brad Aaron and wife, Robin, of Benton.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Patricia "Patt" Aaron.
An Amazing Teacher, Christian, and Inspiration to all.
He had a deep passion for bicycling and died while training.
He will always be remembered for his great love and dedication that he put forth toward his students.
Obituary:
Stephen Ray McCommons, 52, of Benton passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 2008, in Benton.
Everyone is encouraged to come and celebrate the life of Steve with us. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Benton Consolidated High School East Gym, with funeral services imediately following at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Mark Minor will officiate.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Stephen Ray McCommons Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the visitation or at Benton Consolidated High School, 511 E. Main, Benton, IL 62812.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Steve was born on Sept. 15, 1956, in Benton, the son of Van C. and Lodema (Eddleman) McCommons.
He was a 1974 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School, where he was an outstanding football, basketball and track athlete. He then attended Georgia Tech University on a football scholarship and received a B.S. in chemical engineering.
He began his career at Inland Steel Coal Company and was soon promoted to general manager. Because of his determination and commitment to excellence, he became the youngest mine superintendent in Inland history. He worked in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia with Inland and Consolidated Coal.
He returned to Benton in 1996 and earned his master's degree in education from Southern Illinois University. He was a teacher, coach and mentor, all while at BCHS. During this school year he was teaching physics, chemistry and algebra, and coaching Scholar Bowl. His presence and unique style of teaching will be sorely missed for years to come.
Everyone who met Steve quickly became aware of his intense love of Christ and family. Though large and strong, he quickly became tender when talking about his family or his Savior. He attended Whittington Church, where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. Steve was also an ordained minister, who was active in ministry for the last 30 years.
Steve had many hobbies, including cycling, hunting, fishing and playing with his grandkids. He was a huge supporter of the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech. His legacy lives on through his three children, who wish everyone could have a daddy like Steve.
He married his high school sweetheart, SaLinda (Aaron), on Sept. 26, 1975. During their 33-year marriage, they became best friends, and their relationship will always be a shining example.
Steve is survived by his wife, SaLinda, of Benton; daughter, Erin Theiss and husband, Jeremiah, of Creve Coeur, Mo.; two sons, Jeremy McCommons and wife, Jessica, of Spotsylvania, Va., and Casey McCommons and wife, Erin, of Ina; five grandchildren, Logan and Landon Theiss, Caden McCommons, and Laney and Ethan McCommons; brothers and sisters, George McCommons of Dongola, Judy Dixon and husband, Bill, of Benton, Vanita Neve and husband, Louis, of Macomb, Mary Holman of Ewing, and Wesley McCommons and wife, Lois, of Olathe, Kan.; father-in-law, Bob Aaron of Benton; and brother-in-law, Brad Aaron and wife, Robin, of Benton.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Patricia "Patt" Aaron.
He had a deep passion for bicycling and died while training.
He will always be remembered for his great love and dedication that he put forth toward his students.
Obituary:
Stephen Ray McCommons, 52, of Benton passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 2008, in Benton.
Everyone is encouraged to come and celebrate the life of Steve with us. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Benton Consolidated High School East Gym, with funeral services imediately following at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Mark Minor will officiate.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Stephen Ray McCommons Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the visitation or at Benton Consolidated High School, 511 E. Main, Benton, IL 62812.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Steve was born on Sept. 15, 1956, in Benton, the son of Van C. and Lodema (Eddleman) McCommons.
He was a 1974 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School, where he was an outstanding football, basketball and track athlete. He then attended Georgia Tech University on a football scholarship and received a B.S. in chemical engineering.
He began his career at Inland Steel Coal Company and was soon promoted to general manager. Because of his determination and commitment to excellence, he became the youngest mine superintendent in Inland history. He worked in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia with Inland and Consolidated Coal.
He returned to Benton in 1996 and earned his master's degree in education from Southern Illinois University. He was a teacher, coach and mentor, all while at BCHS. During this school year he was teaching physics, chemistry and algebra, and coaching Scholar Bowl. His presence and unique style of teaching will be sorely missed for years to come.
Everyone who met Steve quickly became aware of his intense love of Christ and family. Though large and strong, he quickly became tender when talking about his family or his Savior. He attended Whittington Church, where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. Steve was also an ordained minister, who was active in ministry for the last 30 years.
Steve had many hobbies, including cycling, hunting, fishing and playing with his grandkids. He was a huge supporter of the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech. His legacy lives on through his three children, who wish everyone could have a daddy like Steve.
He married his high school sweetheart, SaLinda (Aaron), on Sept. 26, 1975. During their 33-year marriage, they became best friends, and their relationship will always be a shining example.
Steve is survived by his wife, SaLinda, of Benton; daughter, Erin Theiss and husband, Jeremiah, of Creve Coeur, Mo.; two sons, Jeremy McCommons and wife, Jessica, of Spotsylvania, Va., and Casey McCommons and wife, Erin, of Ina; five grandchildren, Logan and Landon Theiss, Caden McCommons, and Laney and Ethan McCommons; brothers and sisters, George McCommons of Dongola, Judy Dixon and husband, Bill, of Benton, Vanita Neve and husband, Louis, of Macomb, Mary Holman of Ewing, and Wesley McCommons and wife, Lois, of Olathe, Kan.; father-in-law, Bob Aaron of Benton; and brother-in-law, Brad Aaron and wife, Robin, of Benton.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Patricia "Patt" Aaron.
