Greg Steil

On Sept. 15, 1947, Greg Steil was welcomed into this world by Joseph and Evelyn (Lindal) Steil in Rib Lake, Wis. On Sept. 18, 2019, at 6:15 p.m., Greg closed his eyes on this world and breathed his last breath in the company of his wife, his daughter and some of his dear friends. In the 72 years in between, he touched the lives of many in the Illinois Valley area and beyond.

Although he was one of the earliest rock ‘n’ roll players in the Illinois Valley, Greg also loved classical music, which he learned from his father and Bugs Bunny cartoons. He was mostly known as a traditional bluegrass, old-time and folk musician, and he spent his life playing, collecting, curating and promoting that music as well as winning awards for his fiddle playing.

He was the director, for some years, of the Music in the Wild festival in Putnam County. He was a regular fixture at the Willow Folk Festival since its early days and there met many of the musicians he continued to play with throughout his life.

In addition to his passion for music, Greg was a respected woodworker, doing carpentry, hobby-craft construction and instrument repair and rebuilding.

Everywhere he went Greg would run into someone he knew. He was a conduit of friendships, connecting people from many generations, occupations and backgrounds.

In recent years, Greg became especially concerned with protecting the natural environment around his home and his beloved Big Sandy Creek. He helped raise the alarm about the encroachment of industrial agriculture in Marshall-Putnam County, and everyone he met could be sure of his position. Greg felt that no fight was more important than this one, to protect the health of the land and people of the Illinois Valley.

Greg married Lois Marie Brown on Nov. 15, 1970. They have one daughter, Corrina (Jon) Birdseye; and a granddaughter, Amelia in Seattle.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Patrick, who passed away in early childhood.

He is survived his wife, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter; his sister, Susan (William) Bathgate; two sisters-in-law, Janey (Roger Gabrielse), Ida (Paul) Brown; and brother-in-law, Bruce (Roberta) Brown; Nieces and nephews include Reid (Sameer) Bathgate, Christian Bathgate, Brian (Michelle) Gabrielse, Kevin (Sarah) Gabrielse, Cindy (Brentton) Thompson, Angie (John) Tyler, Shannon (Beth) Brown, Anthony Brown and Joshua (Amanda) Brown.

Greg served in the U.S. Army, stateside, from 1966-68.

Helmer-Shields Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Per Greg’s request, there will be no services.