Steven Luter

Steven K. Luter, 78, of Rockford passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021, in Wesley Willows Health Center with his wife, Judy, by his side.  He was born March 27, 1943, in Ross, California, the son of Lavon H. and Carrie (Molencupp) Luter.  Upon his family's move to the Rockford area, Steve went to school in the Harlem District, graduating from Harlem High School, Class of 1962.  He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he earned his Bachelor of Science in education in 1967.  During Steve's college years, he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track.  After graduation, Steve returned to Harlem High School as a teacher and coach.  He married the former Judy Wheeler, his college sweetheart, on June 11, 1970, in Rockford.  He served as the head track, cross country, and golf coach at Harlem High School before retiring in 2000 with 33 years of service.  During his coaching tenure, Steve received the NIC-9 Coach of the Year Award in two sports:  track and cross country.  He restarted Harlem's golf program and gave countless hours above and beyond to those students on his golf team.  Steve enjoyed his membership in the Illinois Coaches Association and his annual golf outing with his former NIC-9 colleagues each May.  He was inducted into Harlem's Athletic Wall of Fame for his accomplishments as a coach and athlete.  In 1990, he received the Huskies Who Made a Difference Award.  Steve enjoyed teaching young people and took pride in teaching his athletes the value of good sportsmanship, a characteristic he exemplified.  He loved playing golf and felt lucky to have 5 holes-in-one during his lifetime.  He was an active member of the Atwood Men's Golf Association.  Steve also served as a volunteer with the Atwood Junior Golf Program for over 30 years.  After retiring from the Harlem School District, he maintained his love of golf by serving as a starter at Atwood Golf Course.  Over the years, Steve mentored many and will be remembered fondly for his integrity, kindness, and consideration of others. Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Judy; sisters-in-law, Margret Luter and Peggy Luter; brother-in-law, Michael (Janice) Wheeler; special nieces, Melinda (Dennis) Johnson and Deborah (Gregory) Auestad; special nephews, Russell (Donna) Luter and Jason Luter; goddaughters, Susan (Steve) Connor and Wendy (Timothy) Newkirk.  He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Rodney Luter and Gregory Luter.  A special thank you to Mercy Health Hospice and the nurses at Wesley Willows Health Center.

Memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from noon to service time.  Cremation rites accorded.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Harlem Scholarship Foundation c/o Harlem High School, 1 Huskie Circle, Machesney Park, IL 61115.