Stephen Daniel Garbaciak, Sr., 83 of Loda, died at 7:05 p.m. Monday, December 9, 2024, at Gibson Area Hospital, Gibson City.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Loda with Father Nestor Sanchez officiating.  Burial will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Loda.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 13, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Steve was born August 22, 1941, in Chicago the son of Steve and Albina Kujawa Garbaciak.  He married Judith Theresa Cichon October 19, 1963, at St. Thecla, Chicago.  She preceded him in death February 25, 2017.

He is survived by two sons, Stephen D. (Deborah) Garbaciak, Jr. of Mokena, Daniel T. (Shallyn) Garbaciak of Payson, Utah; four grandchildren Timothy, Katherine, Miranda and Alec; one great granddaughter, Nora and three sisters, Katherine (Don) Wagner of Buffalo Grove, Diane (Thomas) Moran of Burr Ridge and Susan (Dale) Kubiesa of Algonquin.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Steve graduated from St. Rita High School, Chicago in 1959 and from Lewis College of Science & Technology, Lockport.  He worked in the automotive industry for many years and retired from Inspection Solutions, Naperville.

He and his wife lived in the Chicago area.  They bought a home at Lake Iroquois in 1993 and spent weekends there before moving to the lake in 2003.

Steve was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Loda and a former member of the Loda Lions Club.  He served on the Lake Iroquois Board for over 15 years.  He was an avid reader and a train enthusiast.  Steve enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association or the Ronald McDonald House.  Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.