Steven Willits

Steven L. Willits, 70, of New Boston, IL passed away Friday, July 30, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.  Services are 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo.  Burial is in the Greenmound Cemetery, rural Keithsburg, IL.  Visitation is 3-7:00 p.m., Tuesday at Fippinger’s where memorials may be left to the Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation College Scholarship.  Online condolences can be made at www.fippingerfuneralhome.com.

He was born April 12, 1951 in Aledo, Illinois to William A. and Dorothea Fritch Willits. Steve graduated from Westmer High School in 1969 and the University of Illinois in 1972 with a degree in agricultural science.  He married Marilyn I. Erickson June 19, 1976 in Milan, IL

In 1972, Steve began his career in agriculture at the Chicago Board of Trade.  He was the fifth-generation of the Willits family to farm in the western Mercer County area.

He was a former board member of the Westmer Community School District No. 203 and the Mercer County School District No. 404.  Steve was a member and former director of the Mercer County Farm Bureau.

Throughout the years, it was Steve’s passion to restore and renovate the Verdurette House.

Steve enjoyed reading, history and especially being with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; two sons, Mathew Willits of Joy, IL; Paul (Nadra Hebouche) Willits of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; three grandsons, Ian, Christopher and Lake Willits; two sisters, Sharon (Kenneth) Eisdorfer, Charlotte, NC, Diane Burau, Frisco, TX; one brother, Alan (Julie) Willits, Dallas, TX; several nieces and nephews.

His parents and one brother-in-law, Gary Burau preceded him in death.