Stephen L. Guelzo, 71, of Lake in the Hills, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024 at his home.
He was born October 6, 1952 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the son of William and Helen (Nickelson) Guelzo.
He was a 1971 graduate of James R. Conant High School.
Inducted into the Navy on Aug 25, 1972, he trained at Great Lakes Naval Station as a corpsman and received the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on Feb 9, 1973.
After discharge, he began work at Simpson Electric as the parts stock manager and began playing bass and guitar in "Razz". They played for wedding receptions and at local clubs.
He met his future wife, Lisa Palm, when he was in the band "Night Moods". She was hired as a singer in 1979. He continued playing with the band until they were married on August 16, 1980.
He worked for MeterMaster, Inc. as the repair department manager. It was then that he and Lisa decided to become DCFS foster parents for special needs children.
In 1989, during his apprenticeship at Haumiller Engineering, where he was a machinist/machine builder, he earned the Tool and Die Making Certificate at Elgin Community College. He graduated on the Deans List with High Honors (4.0 GPA).
After earning his certificate he began working at Toyoda Machinery USA where he enjoyed machining parts to customer specs and repairing and calibrating measuring equipment.
Of all his positions, he absolutely loved and was very proud of the store he owned and operated in Seabrook TX. Olde Tyme Music and Hobby Shop opened in 1994. He was an authorized Peavey dealer and an authorized Lionel Service Center. He welcomed school groups into the store for demonstrations of instruments and hands on experiences with the trains. He taught guitar to young and old and also repaired musical equipment, instruments and trains.
In 1997 he moved his family back to Illinois. Steve worked at Fluid Management and then Illinois Blower. But not to let music take a back seat, in his spare time he developed a relationship with major music companies and began a program in which he gave free music clinics at the local schools and in the community. It was
there he shared his knowledge about playing drums and stringed instruments as well as how to maintain them. The music company contacts provided items that could be handed out. Every participant went home with a bag full of different types of accessories and teaching aids. Once in a while there was even a snare drum to raffle offl
He continued repairing instruments for local music stores: microphones, drums, amps, guitars, basses, ukuleles, mandolins, dulcimers, just to name a few. And of course he found time to restore quite a few instruments for his musically inclined sons as well.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his children, Robert, Danny, and Gregory (Mary) Guelzo, proud grandpa to Ayden, Greyson, and Jameson Guelzo, and proud Uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, William (Karin) Guelzo.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 11-12 with a memorial service at 12 Noon all at Defiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. The burial will be at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin. In memory of Stephen please consider donating blood if you are able.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Steve was my first ‘brother’. He added so much to our family. I have known him for 44 years. He brought gentleness and love to our family. All of our family are saddened by the loss of Steve, and our hearts go out to Lisa, Bob, Dan and Greg in the loss of their beloved husband and father. This world has lost a great man. He will be forever in our hearts. ❤️
So sorry for your loss, Lisa. Steve must have been an extraordinary soul. His life was full of loving service to humanity. May his soul soar in the limitless realms above, and may you be comforted by the soothing breezes of his angel wings.
I shall miss Steve so much. He has always been there for me. He was my strength when I was losing Bob. He was my son. Actually he was more like a grandchild since he lovenly called me Meme. I know that he is with our Lord now so I can rest easy. I love you Steve.
My sincerest condolences for your loss to the entire Guelzo family. Steve was so very patient, kind and wonderful to his boys and the kids in the cul de sac. You are a wonderful family to have as neighbors!
My sincerest condolences for your loss to the entire Guelzo family. Steve was so very patient, kind and wonderful to his boys and the kids in the cul de sac. You are a wonderful family to have as neighbors!
We are so sorry for your loss. Steve was such a sweet man. My grandsons call him the bike man cause he gave them some little bikes one day. They still have them and love those bikes. He was a very caring man that will be missed by many. Sorry for your loss.
This is the kindest most decent man I've ever met. Steve was my neighbor here in Lake in the Hills and I watched him raise his kids in our cul-de-sac for many years and we would always say "Hello". We would talk about music and model trains for hours, we're sure going miss you around here. RIP my good friend and God Bless...
Dear Lisa, May God bring you comfort through this loss of your loved one and partner for so many years. You are in our prayers. Lynda & Richard Hirst
I am so sorry for your loss. I was introduced to Steve by my older brother. Steve took me to my first concert at the Elgin Illinois Hemmens Auditorium. BB King, front row. I still remember Steve being handed the guitar pick following the show. Healing peace to you all.
So sorry for your loss. I have found memories of Steve especially when he lived with us. He will be missed.