Steve Carlen (81) of Greenup

G. Steven Carlen, age 81, of Greenup, Illinois, passed away at 5:00 AM – Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Cumberland Rehab and Health Care Center in Greenup, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Steve’s life will be held at 10:00 AM – Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the Meyer Funeral Home – Bishop Chapel in Greenup, Illinois, with Zeb Myers officiating. The burial will be in the Harmony Cemetery north of Greenup, Illinois, with a bell service by the Greenup Fire Department. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, July 21, 2023, at the funeral home. In loving memory of Steve, memorials may be made to the Greenup Fire Department. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Garrie Steven, better known as “Steve,” was born on April 10, 1942, in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Harold R. and Cathern J. (Strader) Carlen. They preceded him in death. He spent much of his childhood at his grandparents (Thomas and Ethel Carlen) farm in Timothy, Illinois, and became an avid hunter and fisherman at a young age. Steve married Linda K. Winnett on October 2, 1965. They have celebrated 57 years of marriage (over 60 years total together).

They are the parents of Garrie Steven Carlen Jr (wife Monica) and Michael Keith Carlen (special friend Jacey Probst). They have 6 grandchildren, Kyle, Kendra, Hunter, Kaylee, Emily, Austin; 2 great grandchildren; and a half-brother, Bill (Tracey) Carlen.

Steve attended the Greenup and Cumberland schools and later studied and completed courses in electronics repair. He, along with his friend Donnie started the Carlen and Barnes TV store in Greenup and operated it for several years. He later continued as an electronic technician at Communications Unlimited in Toledo, Illinois, for several years. After spending most of his years at a workbench with a soldering tool in his hand, Steve decided to accept the position of Custodian/Groundskeeper for the Village of Greenup and worked there until his official retirement in 2008. Steve also worked for the Bishop Funeral Home in Greenup for many years and was often greeting people at the front door.

Steve was a strong believer in community service. He joined the Greenup Fire Department in 1979, serving as Assistant Chief for 26 years. He completed the ERT/EMT program at Lake Land College in 1982, and joined the newly formed Greenup Ambulance Service, where he served as the coordinator for many years. He also served as an officer for the Greenup Police Department. In addition, he often volunteered for local search, rescue and recovery missions whenever needed. Steve also donated his time and provided music and sound equipment for many community festivals and events over the years. Steve was one of the founders of the monthly Greenup Hootenanny dance and continued to play guitar there each month for 60 years. He loved playing and listening to music and attended many shows while traveling. His other interests included being a shade tree mechanic, repairing and collecting pocket watches and clocks and motorcycle riding. He and Linda traveled frequently to several states on their Honda Goldwing, going nearly coast to coast. Steve also enjoyed family camping, cookouts and sharing his worldly knowledge with his children, grandchildren and anyone who would listen.

Steve had several nicknames. Many of his work and fire department associates commonly referred to him as “Floydy”, while his fellow musicians knew him as “Pops”. Others knew him as “Mr. Fixit” since he was always “tinkering” with something and had a passion for finding new life for old, discarded items. Steve will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.