Steven Winn

A skilled craftsman through and through, Steven Winn was as gifted as they come when working with his hands. It wasn’t just his sheer talent that he was most known for, but it was the way he used his gifts and abilities as the “neighborhood handyman” to help anyone in need. Steven enjoyed a great many things throughout his life, yet nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his grandchildren. An Illinois native, Steve brought so much to the community in which he lived, and it will be his kind and generous presence that will be so dearly missed.

During a year in which Alaska and Hawaii became the forty-ninth and fiftieth states, 1959 was a year to remember in America. This was also the year of the first Grammy Awards when Frank Sinatra topped the charts and in the world of science, the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union was heating up. This was a year of celebration in the family of Robert and Patricia Winn as they welcomed the birth of their son, Steven, on November 30th. Steven was born as one of three boys in his family and from an early age, he showed an innate ability to fix things. He was outgoing and friendly with many friends in the neighborhood. The neighborhood gang endlessly rode their bikes and when their bikes were in need of repair, Steve was the one they went to. He was also gifted with his hands as a young boy as he loved to build toy models, loved working with wood to create any number of things, and he loved his cars too, back when they were well-made. As a Cub Scout, Steve even built the “cub mobile.” He attended Bradley Elementary and Bradley High School and played midget football in Bradley as well.

Throughout his life, Steve worked hard no matter what he was doing. As Steve got older, he began working at the family business, Winn’s Inn, along with his brother, Keith. Steve would normally bartend while Keith would do the cooking. He also worked as a technician for Frank’s Appliance Center in Bradley for more than fourteen years. Not surprisingly, Steve could fix just about any appliance he laid his hands on.

Even though work was certainly a necessary part of Steve’s life, there was more to life than just work for Steve. He was always the handyman of the neighborhood no matter where he called home. Everybody always came to Steve as he not only had the skills to help anyone in need, but he was always willing to make the time as well. He put his woodworking skills to good use for those in his family as well. Steve not only built decks for the family home in Bradley, but he also built a cradle for his nephew. He was meticulous and was even called a perfectionist. Steve always took immaculate care of his yard, his car, his garage, and his tools, too, since when it came to Steve, everything had to be in its place. He loved music, especially rock music, and he always loved Halloween. Another one of Steve’s greatest passions was his love for cars, especially his 2000 Camaro.

One of the things that made Steve such an extraordinary man was his tender heart. He enjoyed helping his children, Shanon and Stephanie, and his nieces and nephews, too. When he wasn’t helping them in some way, he was also known to give things to them as well, with no strings attached. Nothing prepared Steve for how much he would love spending time with his grandchildren, Brody, Aubrey, Morgan, and Samantha. It was easy to see that these young children were the light of his life.

No matter what he was doing, Steven Winn carried himself with strength, generosity, and compassion for others. He was always giving of his time and his resources whether in ways great or small. Steve was dedicated to caring for his family throughout his entire life, and made numerous friends along his life’s journey as well. He was organized and paid meticulous attention to details, which is some of what made him so talented with his hands. Steve will be dearly missed and warmly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Steven Winn of Bradley died on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at his home in Bradley. Steve’s family includes his mother, Patricia Winn of Bradley; two daughters, Shanon (Jim) Wosz of Kankakee, and Stephanie Bradley of Bradley; two brothers, Corey Winn of Bradley and Keith (Vicki) Winn of Bradley; a grandson, Brody Wosz of Kankakee; three granddaughters, Aubrey Wosz of Kankakee, Morgan Bradley of Bradley, and Samantha Bradley of Bradley; nephews, Joshua Winn, Matthew Shipley, and Jason Shipley all of Bradley; nieces Brooke Winn and Lauren Shipley of Bradley, and Tricia McCue of Decatur; aunts, Barb (Bob) Sprimont of St Anne, and Joanne (Elwood) Kelly of Kankakee; and several cousins and special friends. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Robert Winn. Visit with Steve’s family and friends on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at the Bradley Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Bradley Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial donation to the family.