Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Perry Joe Stegemeyer, 61, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at his home in Georgetown. He was born on June 30, 1961, the son of Arline (Miller) and Gerald Stegemeyer in Danville, IL.
Perry leaves behind his wife, Lucia (Huber) Stegemeyer; son, Andrew “Andy” Stegemeyer; siblings, Terry (Diane) Stegemeyer and Sherry (Ed) Cole; best friends, Bob Jurczak (Penny) and Russ Johnson (Kelly); two special nieces, Meghan Fisher (Tom) and Daniele (Sam) Howie; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Perry is preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter, Katie Jo.
Perry’s early years in Tilton, IL resulted in a life-long friendship with Russ Johnson. Perry knew no stranger – friendly toward everyone he encountered. All through school, Perry excelled not at academics, but in having people’s backs. He did not like seeing anyone teased or picked on. Perry was a hard worker with a great work ethic instilled by his parents. At age 15, Perry began working at Sunoco gas station where he met Bob Jurczak and their hijinks ensued for the next 45 years! At 17, Perry met the love of his life, Lucia, while working at The Commercial-News. They were married on May 3, 1986 and their son Andy was the center of their universe together. He demonstrated his care and compassion for others every day on his jobs, first in his 21-year career at Aramark where he received awards and trips for his service and performance. Then even more so at his second career at Lincare, Inc. providing health care delivery and services where he became quite attached to his customer’s and them to him. After breaking his shoulder in 2016, Perry had to leave the work he loved due to disability. On December 2, 2019, Perry went into septic shock from a leg infection and spent two months hospitalized. Upon discharge, he continued therapy to regain his strength and function only to develop low back pain in June, 2020. That back pain was actually a blessing in that the spine doctor was able to discover tumors on his bones. He was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in April of 2021. This disease in the blood causes extreme bone pain along with deterioration and breaking of the bones. Perry was very brave during treatments, tests, and hospitalizations; always maintaining his sense of humor and kindness. Everyone who knew him have certainly been touched by Perry’s beautiful spirit that consisted of kindness, understanding, an ability to listen, a sense of humor, love, and courage. His devotion to Lucia and Andy and they to him was like no other.
Perry’s family wishes to acknowledge the many physicians and nurses from Carle Medical Center, OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center, OSF Hospice, and Dr. Joseph D. Smucker from Indiana Spine Group for the exceptional care they provided over the last three years.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 824 E Main St, Danville, IL 61832, with an hour visitation prior to the service, starting at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Officiating will be Pastor Kent Tibben. There will be a private entombment at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held the evening prior from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Perry’s name to Habitat for Humanity of Danville at www.habitatdanville.org or CHAMP Camp at www.champcamp.org. Casual colorful clothing is encouraged.
Please join Perry’s family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.