JERSEYVILLE – Steven Louis “Steve” Jantzen, 67, died at 12:38 p.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
He was born in St. Louis, MO on December 2, 1948, one of three children born to the late Louis & Marie (Fisk) Jantzen.
Steve grew up in the St. Louis area, graduating in 1967 from Ladue High School and went on to further his education at the University of Missouri, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
He began his career with ACF working in St. Charles, MO & Pennsylvania before starting his own firm, Jantzen Engineers, which he owned and operated for over 25 years with his own consulting firm, retiring in 2014.
He married the former Mary Jean (Swan) Hale on January 15, 1993 at the Jersey County Courthouse and together they built their home in Jerseyville, where they have resided for the past 23 years.
Steve was committed to his work and a true dreamer and philosopher, which led him to hold deep admiration for Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., Einstein, Ghandi and George Carlin. He was also an entrepreneur and open many ideas on conserving energy. He held many patents and was responsible, at one time, for the state of the art rerailer boom with Spandeck (now Warnata) in Tennessee as well as a pressure aid car at ACF Industries. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing the guitar and spending time with his many friends, many of which referred to him affectionately as “Bearhead”. Most importantly, he was devoted to his family and being a loving Pops & Poppy to his twelve grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Jean Jantzen of Jerseyville; three children and their spouses, Emily & Brian Hedden; Steven C. & Jessica Jantzen and Jesse & Audrey Hale, all of Jerseyville; twelve grandchildren, Brian Hedden Jr; Timothy Swan; Briana Hedden; Payton Cox; Gabriella Field; Ambri Scheiferle; Riyhlie Hale; Melody Jantzen; Maximus Hale; Harmony Jantzen; Ariana Jantzen and Owyn Hale; a brother, Louis Jantzen of Milwaukee, WI; a sister and brother-in-law, Peggy & Chip Zdazinsky of St. Louis, MO; as well as his four nieces and two nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m., until time of funeral services at 7 p.m, Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville with Father William Hembrow officiating.
Inturment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Family, in care of Crawford Funeral Home.
