Steven C. Fannin, 71, of Morris passed away Dec. 25 from complications of kidney disease.

He was born in Camp Dix, Kentucky, on Feb. 8, 1949, the son of Lennie and Opal (Gilliam) Fannin. Steve graduated from Morris Community High School. He received a football scholarship to attend Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he pledged the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He also received his master’s in education from Illinois State University and completed all coursework toward a doctorate in education. He married Mary Sabatini on Dec. 29, 1978, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Spring Valley.

Fannin began his career as a teacher at Minooka Community High School, where he also coached football. He was then hired at Hall High School in Spring Valley as a science teacher and football and wrestling coach. He then served as principal of Hall High School until 1992, when he was hired as the superintendent of Freeburg Community High School in Freeburg, Illinois. In 1997, Steve returned to his alma mater and became the superintendent of Morris Community High School. He successfully and honorably finished his career in education at Morris, retiring in 2007. He was active in the Morris Rotary Club, the American Cancer Society (where he chaired the Relay for Life for multiple years) and numerous other community organizations. He was inducted into the Culver-Stockton College Sports and Education Hall of Fame. In his retirement, he also served as the Wauponsee Township supervisor.

Fannin had an influence on current MCHS athletic director Jeff Johnson.

“Mr. Fannin was very professional and always had the best interests of Morris High School at heart,” Johnson said. “He was engaged, not only in the high school, but in the community as well. He was interested in all aspects of the high school and did a great job.

“I owe a lot to Mr. Fannin. He gave me a chance to be an administrator in his last year, and I have been an administrator here ever since.”

Patrick Halloran, who succeeded Fannin as superintendent, also had kind words to say about his mentor.

“I was hired as principal at Morris in 2004,” Halloran said. “I did that for two years, and in 2007, I was the assistant superintendent under Mr. Fannin. I learned so much by working for him that I was able to hit the ground running when I became superintendent after he retired. He taught me a lot, especially in the area of school finances. He was very knowledgeable on that topic.

“I enjoyed working with Steve. He did a lot of good things for Morris Community High School.”

Current MCHS superintendent Dr. Craig Ortiz also spoke of Fannin.

“Mr. Fannin came to MCHS as superintendent at the start of my second year teaching here,” Dr. Ortiz said. “Every superintendent has to work through difficult situations at times, and he was no exception. He owned his decisions, and I learned from him how hard the superintendent job is.

“At the time, I never imagined I would end up in the role myself, but now that I’m here, I can appreciate how tough his decisions were and the toll that it takes on you. In 2004, Mr. Fannin had to hire a new principal to replace Greg Eaton, who was retiring. I was very honored when Mr. Fannin included me in that process. I was also very fortunate to have taught two of his children. Mr. Fannin’s entire family is in my thoughts at this very sad time.”

Fannin is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary; three children, Adam of Morris, Stephen Michael (Misun Kim) of South Korea and Molly (Samuel Alcarez) of Chicago; and grandchildren, Lyla, Amelia and Benjamin of South Korea and Maxine of Chicago. He also is survived by six siblings, Clara Scaman and Dr. Shirley Fannin of Morris, Gerald Fannin of Orlando, Florida, Phyllis Wheeler of Marseilles, Illinois, Carol Jean Rose of Plano, Texas, and Valerie Fannin of Burbank, California.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Lennie and Opal Fannin of Morris; and his sister, Lynn Less of Reseda, California.

The family will receive friends for a COVID-19-observant walk-through visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 E. Washington St. (one block east of Illinois Route 47) in Morris. Because of current pandemic guidelines, face masks will be required for attendees and measures of safe social distancing practices will be in order. Funeral home staff will assist the family not to exceed the safe number set forth for the visitation.

Funeral services will follow at noon in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 E. Jackson St. in Morris. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated, with the Rev. Jason Stone presiding and Deacon Paul Jung assisting.

Those wishing to participate in Steve’s funeral service online are welcome to join the livestreamed service beginning at noon Wednesday. This virtual service is accessible through a link available on Steve’s memorial page, www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/Steven-Fannin.

Burial will be in Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Morris.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs and share Steve’s memorial page online through social media by logging on to www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/Steven-Fannin.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes Ltd. in Morris, 815-942-2500.