Steven Michael Rutan

Steven Michael Rutan passed away unexpectedly on September 13, 2021 at the age of 67 at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville.   Steve was born on July 9, 1954 in Danville, Illinois.

Steve graduated from Danville High School in 1972. At the age of seventeen he began working at Marks Radiator Shop and proudly took ownership of the business in 2018. He was an avid car club member of Vintage Rods and a Hog member of the Middle Fork Motorcycle Club.  Steve loved working and participating in auctions at Gordyville, Calhoun, and Strebeck. Antique furniture auctions with Larry Schlunaker, who was more like a brother to Steve than a friend, were a favorite of his also. Steve loved working those auctions and made many friends that he viewed as family along the way.  He also loved participating in festivals such as the Newport Hill Climb, Covered Bridge Festival and Steamcorner, just to name a few. Steve had a knack for making friends wherever he went and treated all his friends like family. He was extremely hard working, and he always kept his word. He loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and camping at Kickapoo State Park or one of the many festival sights he happened to be working at.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and cherished the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. He will be missed so much by so many.

Steve is survived by his former wife Sharon Rutan, son Vern Michael (Rebecca) Rutan, daughter-in-law Dawn (DJ Rice) Rutan, sister Susan Strawser; and grandchildren Tristan, Harley, Hunter, Hannah and bonus grandchildren Tye and Teegan Rice.  Steve is also survived by girlfriend Arlene Glass.

Steve was preceded in death by his son Stephen Michael Rutan, mother Dorothy Whelchel, father Vern Rutan and brothers John and Kenny Rutan.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. September 19, 2021at Kruger Coan Pape Funeral Home. We will meet at Kruger Coan Pape Funeral Home at 10:30am on Monday, September 20, 2021 and a funeral procession will follow to Sunset Memorial Park. To honor Steve we ask anyone that has a classic car or motorcycle to drive or ride it up to the memorial park with us. It was something very important to Steve and would mean the world to his family. IDPH and CDC guidelines regarding mask usage and social distancing will be enforced while indoors.

Memories and messages for the family may be left on our website at www.krugercoanpape.com, or on the Kruger Coan Pape Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family has setup a trust for Steve’s grandchildren’s education. These donations can be sent to or left at the funeral home for the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Steven Michael Rutan, please visit our floral store.