Steve Edward Wolchuk, Jr., 80, of Huntley, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
He was born on May 29, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois to Steve Wolchuk, Sr. and Ethel (Foley) Wolchuk. A devout Catholic and longtime Chicagoan, he attended St. Philip Basilica High School where he served as an altar boy. After graduating, Steve went on to proudly defend his country as a member of the US Army during the Vietnam War. He married the love of his life, Kathleen Schavier on May 20, 1967. He worked in returned goods at Motorola Inc. until his retirement. After moving from Carpentersville, he and Kathleen made Huntley their home for the last 20 years.
Steve had a sharp mind, an excellent sense of humor, and a penchant for rock and roll music. When he wasn’t bowling a few frames or cheering on his beloved Cubs, he enjoyed traveling with family. He was a lifelong patriot and a staunch supporter of the President. Affectionately dubbed “Kathleen’s Gladiator” by his wife, Steve faced life’s difficulties with quiet strength and resilience. Despite his rough exterior, he had a kind and gentle heart. He held a “love of family, friends and country” above all else in his life. He will be dearly missed.
In addition to his wife, Kathleen Wolchuk, Steve is survived by his daughters, Kathy (Tom) Burke and Teresa (Roger) Caldwell; six grandchildren, Thomas (Beverly) Burke, Ryan Burke, Bree Burke, Adam (Ashley) Burke, Steven Caldwell, and Johnnie Caldwell; two great-grandchildren (soon to be three), Gwendolen Burke, Penelope Burke, and Riley Burke, who is due in October; five siblings-in-law, Marlene (the late Harold Koerner and the late Jim Swift) Koerner, Elizabeth (Joe) Mancuso, Bobby (Debbie) Schavier, Gretchen (Frank) Vizza, and Bill (Angie) Schavier; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his half-siblings, Ed, Harvey, Frank, Joan, and Ethel; a sister-in-law, Patricia (Glen) Taylor; and a brother-in-law, Hubert Schavier, Jr.
Visitation will be held from 4pm-7pm, with a prayer service at 6:30pm, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at DeFiore Funeral Home – 10763 Dundee Rd. Huntley, Illinois 60142. Due to allergies, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and/or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.
For further information, please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772, or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
Please leave a video condolence by entering your name and click the "Record" button below. You can always preview your video prior to submitting it. Please note that you may receive a prompt to grant DefioreFuneral access to your camera. This is only temporary and will be solely for the duration of recording your condolence message.
Steve was my best friend. His friendship filled my days with adventure. He did not like to see those he cared about, taken advantage of. He always had my back.
Always will be thankful for knowing Uncle Steve. Enjoyed spending time as a child around him and listening to his knowledge of music. His love for music will be one of the many memories I will always remember. Rest in peace Uncle Steve 🎶
Kathleen and family I am so very very sorry for your loss. Steve has been such a wonderful client and friend for so many years. I always laughed and joked around with him and we both loved being sarcastic! No matter what he was going through there wasnt a time that I saw him where he wouldn’t joke around and laugh. He was so strong. I was so sad to hear he had passed. I will miss him so much. I’m so glad I got that last hug when I was there. Thank you Kathleen for taking the best care of him so we could have him for as long as possible. Much love to you all.
Our condolences to the Burke and Schavier family for their loss. I know my sisters would agree with what I write. We all have very fond memories of Uncle Steve. Although only five years older than the Burke Girls, we thought he was the most handsome guy, an Elvis Presley look-alike! Our dad, Ed Burke, would bring us to visit our grandmother, and Steve dreaded the visit of four girls sitting in the living room while he watched the Cubs on TV. Although he had a tough exterior, he was one of the most loving men, dedicated to his mother, father, siblings, his beautiful wife Kathleen, children, and grandchildren. He will be missed on earth but welcomed in heaven to reunite with his family members that have gone before him. Rest in peace. Kathi, Colleen, Darlene, and Charlene Burke
Steve was so nice from the beginning of me marrying his brother in law Bill and welcoming me into the family ,always my first Christmas card every year we would receive came from him Kathleen ,Bill has shared great memories of him and he will be truly missed,prayers for all the family.