Steven LaVern Somers

STILLMAN VALLEY, IL, ~ Steven L. Somers, age 79, died peacefully in his Stillman Valley home on Saturday, September 19, 2026. He was born in Rockford, IL, on December 15, 1946, the son of Faye LaVern & Elsie Alice (Norregaard) Somers. He graduated from Harlem High School in 1964 where he was an all-state wrestler, all state acapella choir, eagle scout and National Rifle Pro-Marksman. He then went on to Rockford school of business & engineering where he spent three years in their accounting program. While attending Rockford Business college he took dance classes at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. After that, he attended Rock Valley Community College and studied automotive work. While at Rock Valley he had the honor of being on the Dean’s List and was later asked to teach the automotive program after graduation, and although he saw this as an honor, he ultimately declined as he didn’t see himself as a teacher. After graduation he worked as a Diesel Mechanic, a Farm Implement Mechanic, a Certified Welder and Electrician, and air conditioning on diesel vehicles. He retired from Cassens Transport of Belvidere, IL in 2011. Steven was a proud United States veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, served his boot camp at Fort Bragg of Virginia and was a part of the Quarter Master’s Program and was in the Army reserves for 6 years. He had impeccable military records and aced every test the military sent his way. Beyond his work, Steven enjoyed fishing, League Bowling, camping, and watching War and Western movies. He liked to play euchre, reading history books and the Annual Family vacation.

He is preceded in death by his parents Faye & Elsie. Steven is survived and missed dearly by his loving wife Sandra (Riley) Somers of Stillman Valley, IL, who he married on November 23, 1968; children Sam (Shelly) Somers of Loves Park, IL; Sarah (Dan) Denny of Bettendorf, IA; Susan (Mark) Ellsworth of Stillman Valley, IL; grandchildren Lindsey ( Eric) Johnson of Belvidere, IL; Ashley (Conrad) Furgason of Byron, IL; Joshua Trey Ellsworth of Rockford, IL; Megan (Hein) Peinke of Logan, IA; Allison (Ben) Schluter of Bettendorf, IA; Regan Denny of Bettendorf, IA; great-grandchildren Delany Johnson; Emerson Johnson; Henry Furgason; Theodore Schluter; and siblings David (Kay) Somers of Florence AL; Karen Somers of Rockford, IL; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Crossroads Community Church of Rochelle, IL between 10:00am and 11:00am. A funeral service honoring Steven’s life will begin immediately following the visitation at church at 11:00am with Pastor Doug Askew presiding. Steven will then be laid to rest at Stillman Valley Cemetery of Stillman Valley, IL. The family asks you to consider making a donation to either Serenity Hospice & Home of Oregon, IL or the Crossroads Community church of Rochelle, IL