John Stephen Jarzembski

John Stephen "Steve" Jarzembski, aged 79, passed away on December 26, 2023. Born on March 9, 1944, in Elgin, Illinois, to John Acton and Audrey Clifton Acton, Steve's early years were shaped by the loss of his father in infancy. His mother remarried, and Steve was adopted by Ted Jarzembski, completing the family with the birth of his brother, William "Billy."

Steve's youth included summers spent on his grandparents’ farm in Argenta, Illinois, and the many activities and experiences of meeting the requirements for Eagle Scout at age 13. Steve was academically inclined, and he also played the French horn and wrestled at Stephen Decatur High School. He earned a B.S. in Marketing from Millikin University.

Immediately after graduation, Steve was drafted into the ARMY, trained at Ft. Riley, and then sent to Vietnam. He was with the 1st Cavalry at the North-South border for his entire tour and was awarded medals for his superior conduct including the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement While Participating in Aerial Flight, and the Bronze Star with the V-Device for Valor in Ground Combat. Steve returned home to lead the family business, transforming it into a larger more diverse enterprise focused on selling materials for building and renovating homes and offices.

Steve married Alicia Kemper, and they raised their daughter, Sasha, on their horse farms in Decatur, IL, and in Gainesville, FL. Steve's soft heart for animals was evident in his care of the diverse creatures on their farms including thoroughbred horses, riding horses, ponies, goats, ducks, dogs and cats. In Gainesville, he was employed by HVAC companies, served on the Apprenticeship Advisory Committee for Santa Fe Community College for many years, and mentored HVAC students.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Audrey and Ted Jarzembski, and is survived by his wife, Alicia Kemper, daughter Sasha (Bo) Yurke, brother Billy Jarzembski, and granddaughter Alexandra Yurke.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Milam Funeral Home, Gainesville, FL.