Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
Stephen Martin Horath
Stephen Martin Horath, passed away peacefully at the age of 80, on Thursday, July 3, 2025, with the love of his family by his side. Steve was born on September 6, 1944, the son of the late Irvin and Valgene Horath. A lifelong resident of Joliet, he was a 1963 graduate of Joliet Central Township High School, where he was in ROTC, and Joliet Junior College, where he majored in Art. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 and proudly served in Vietnam. Steve retired from Citgo after over 40 dedicated years as a supervisor in the Blend Center. He was formerly employed with Texico, Univen, and Citgo, as a dedicated fire team member. He was a lifelong member of the VFW. Baptized in 1981 at Judson Baptist where he was a long time parishioner and married the love of his life, Nettie.
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Steve loved the arts, antiques, and enjoyed collecting coins. His passion was pottery and carnival glass. He and his wife Nettie enjoyed dealing antiques. While spending time at Galli's AC, where he met Nettie, he was the manager of their softball team. Steve also enjoyed bowling, taking ski trips, playing in the Masters in Frisbee Golf, where he won many trophies in their tournaments. He and Nettie spent time at Lake Point Recreation Club in Coal City. He found enjoyment listening to rock music while his nephew, Timmy, played guitar.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Annette “Nettie” (Deininger) Horath; daughter, Shari Whaley; grandchildren, Amanda (Matthew) Blake and Tyler Whaley; great-grandchildren, Lyne Whaley and Sophia Blake; stepchildren, Jim (Buffy) Ward, Sean Ward, and Jennifer Calkins; step-grandchildren, Logan, Hayden, Devan, and Elizabeth Ward, and Zach Calkins; sister, Shelbia (the late Jim) Costa; sister-in-law, Michelle “Mike” (the late Tom) Gottfried; nephews, James, Timothy, and Vincent Costa; nieces, Anna (Mace) Stouffer and Molly Gottfried; and his special niece, Lizabeth (Timothy) Costa. A special thank you to his nephews, Paul, Greg, and Andy Horath; and nieces, Laura and Leatta Horath.
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He is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Keith Calkins; and grandson, Adam Calkins.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Alden and the hospice staff for taking such good care of Stephen and the entire family. A special thanks to Chaplain Matt for his dedicated service to Stephen and his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Visitation for Stephen Martin Horath will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home located at 3200 Black Rd. Joliet, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with full Military Honors held under the auspices of the United States Army and the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad.
For more information, please call 815- 741-5500, or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
