STEPHEN "SWITZ" ALLISON SWITZER

ORANGEVILLE—Stephen Allison Switzer, 84, eldest son of Stephen and Elva D. Switzer (nee Allison), born November 24, 1937, in Dubuque, Iowa, died September 10, 2022, at Manor Court in Liberty Village, Freeport, Illinois.

He has one brother, Robert L. Switzer (Bonnie), Professor Emeritus Bio-Chemistry at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

Life is an adventure; let me relate one man's journey. Steve grew up on the small Allison/Switzer family farm east of Orangeville, Illinois, where he learned husbandry in a hands-on manner. He attended and graduated from a one-room country school, Pleasant Hill (total student body 13 students Grades 1 ^st – 8 ^th ). He graduated from Orangeville High School Class of 1955 and then attended the University of Illinois College of Agriculture (Agri-Engineer). He then worked for Clarno Lumber & Supply and C.R.C. Builders of Clarno, Wisconsin, for 5-1/2 years, where he learned about building materials and rural construction, again in a hands on manner.

June 8, 1958, he married his soulmate and best friend, Dorleen A. Showers. They had one son, Joel Stephen Switzer, construction worker, dog musher, and confirmed bachelor of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Steve served in the U.S. Army for one year at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, one year in the 7 ^th Infantry Division, South Korea, and four years of reserve duty. Dorleen and Steve loved to travel, having visited all 50 states and at least 10 foreign countries, including their favorite destinations, America's West and Alaska.

Steve was the co-founder, designer, and manager of Patterson Buildings of Rockford, IL, for 32 years. He designed and supervised the construction of several thousand farm and light commercial buildings and hundreds of related construction projects. Steve always said, "What a legacy, hundreds of rusty roofs!"

Steve was a long-time Free Mason, a life member of Evergreen Lodge #170 of Freeport, IL, where he served three terms as Master, two years as Secretary, and was the recipient of the Lodge Builders Award. He was also a member of Orangeville Lodge #687 and served as Master for three terms, and received the Lodge Builders Award in 2016. He was a life member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Freeport, and was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award (M.S.A.) in 1999. He also served on the Scottish Rite Corporate Board for 10 years. Dorleen and Steve served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron of Freeport Chapter #303 Order of the Eastern Star several times and were members of Capernaum Shrine #4 White Shrine of Jerusalem, Freeport, IL. Steve always said, "Freemasonry makes good men better."

Steve was a long-time hunter, shooter, student, and collector of rim fire rifles. He was also a life-endowment member of the NRA, NRA Golden Eagles member, and a firm believer of the people's right to keep and bear arms. Steve was an avid reader, loved jazz music, good food and wine, and a nip of scotch, an occasional big/good cigar, and was an inveterate tinker. He was also known to write letters to the editors of various newspapers, lambasting liberals, and for his capacity to have fun with an offbeat sense of humor and a some-times volcanic temper.

In 2001, Dorleen and Steve built a home on the Showers' "Centennial Farm" to retire which has been the absolute love of their lives; watching the changing of the seasons, the wildlife, and visits from wonderful family and friends. Dorleen and Steve's proudest achievement was raising their son Joel Stephen, a remarkable man, who was killed in a construction related accident August 2, 2017, in Alaska. Steve never did recover from that. Approximately six months after Joe's death, Dorleen and Steve decided that since they had few close relatives they would do something for the community that had done so much for them for over 50 years. They opted to fund the refurbishing of the football grandstand at Orangeville High School. The project turned out to be a great success and the Broncos Boosters named it "Switzer's Seats". They also provided major funding for the greenhouse in the Ag Department of Highland Community College, named in honor of Joel Switzer.

June 8sth, 2019, our 61 ^st wedding anniversary and the saddest day of my life. Dorleen died after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

"When I was born, I cried and people smiled. I hope I have lived life so that when I died, people will cry and I can smile."

This obituary was written by Stephen Switzer.

In addition to his brother, Dr. Robert (Bonnie) Switzer of Urbana, Steve is survived by five first cousins: Jonathan (Nancy) Whitney of Thomson; Dr. Warren (Nancy) Switzer, Lt. Col, ret. of Troy, North Carolina; Kathrine (Roger Robinson) Switzer of New Paltz, NY, and Wellington, NZ; Cynthia (Bill Shelton) Whitney of Olney, IL; and Amy Caroline Whitney of Milwaukee, WI. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at the Cramer-Leamon Funeral Home in Orangeville on Friday, September 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Graveside Masonic Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17, at Oakland Cemetery in Freeport.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com