Stephen G. Terrando, 66, a local resident and family law attorney, died Nov. 17, 2013, following a medical emergency while driving his car in Utica.

Steve was born Oct. 4, 1947, in La Salle to Joseph and Florence (Loomis) Terrando, and was the eldest of six children. He married Joke’ Verwey on July 18, 1980, in Magnolia, Texas.

Steve attended St. Bede Academy, La Salle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College and Illinois State University in Normal. He received his bachelor of arts degree in Latin education from Illinois State University in 1969 and was a student teacher in the language at La Salle-Peru Township High School. Steve moved to Houston, Texas in 1971 and attended South Texas College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1974.  He practiced in Houston, Texas until 1987 when he moved his family back to the Illinois Valley where he maintained his practice in La Salle for the last 26 years. 

He worked tirelessly for his clients in the courtroom, and was an advocate for legal education for the community.  Steve presided over the “Peer Jury” program in La Salle, an alternative form of prosecution for first-time offenders meant to seek balanced justice for the defendant and restorative justice for the victim.  He also moderated the “People’s Law School,” a series of seminars jointly sponsored by the La Salle County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association, that features lawyers, judges and experts providing information on a range of subjects that impact the community and the law.  He was extremely active in the La Salle County Bar Association, serving as its vice president in 2008-09.

Steve was an avid reader and chess player but he had an unrelenting passion for cars.  He has owned Fiats, Jaguars, and several vintage Rolls Royces, and likely has every Car and Driver and Road and Track magazine ever published.

Steve just loved to drive, and almost always opted to jump behind the wheel rather than fly or take any other mode of transportation to his destination. Upon arrival at any destination, Steve would always say, “I made good time.”

Steve is survived by his wife, Joke’; his daughter, Virginia Johanna of New York City; sisters, Jane Ann (Terrando) Buckner of Cypress, Texas, Mary Joanne (Terrando) Root of  Woodbine, Ga., and Julie Ann (Terrando) Bacher of Indianapolis, Ind.; one brother, Thomas Joseph Terrando of Sugar Land, Texas;  and nieces and nephews. 

Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Philip James.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, memorials may be directed to American Heart Association, Illinois Valley Animal Rescue or Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

The online guestbook may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.MuellerFH.com.