Steven Kaeser

Steven Dale Kaeser MARION - 8220; Steven Dale Kaeser, 45, of San Diego, California, formerly of Marion, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2005, in San Diego. He was born in Marion on November 9, 1959, the son of John and Romelle (Harris) Kaeser. Mr. Kaeser graduated from Marion High School in 1977. In 1981, he graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and French, having spent his junior year in Bordeau, France. He attended the London School of Economics in London, England, in 1982, to work on his Masters degree in public administration and public policy. Mr. Kaeser received his Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University Law School in 1985 during which time he worked as a law clerk for James W. Sanders and Associates. After passing the Illinois Bar Exam, he attended a course in Civil Law in Salzburg, Austria before joining the firm of Lalive and Budin in Geneva, Switzerland as an intern. Following his graduation from SIU, Steven worked as a practicing attorney for F. Lee Bailey, in West Palm Beach, Florida. He later accepted a position as an attorney for Equator Bank, an international bank, in Hartford, Connecticut. His work for Equator Bank involved a considerable amount of travel to various locations in Africa and other parts of the world. He continued with Equator Bank until December 31, 2004 at which time Equator closed their facility in the United States. He then moved to San Diego, California where he lived with his two beloved dogs, Otis and Beulah Mae. He was raised and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Marion, Illinois, and he later attended Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. Kaeser loved to travel and he had several friends throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa. He also loved animals, especially dogs. Mr. Kaeser enjoyed music and he was an active member of a men’s choir in Connecticut for several years. Steven Kaeser was a loving, caring, gentle, hardworking, and dedicated man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his parents, Dr. John and Romelle Kaeser of Marion; one sister, Diane Lazorchak of Marion, a brother and sister-in-law, David and April (Krivanko) Kaeser of St. Charles, Missouri; two aunts, Elflora Aikman of Marion and Marcia (and David) Braswell of Belleville; one uncle, Dale (and Toni) Harris of Denver, Colorado and five nieces and nephews, Michael and Michelle Lazorchak of Marion, Jessica and Kristen Effinger, and John David Kaeser of St. Charles, Missouri. He is also survived by a large family of cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John F. and Elsa (Weber) Kaeser and his maternal grandparents, Ray and Aurelia (Davis) Harris. A memorial service for Steven Dale Kaeser will be held at Zion United Church of Christ in Marion at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2005, with the Rev. Ken Kramer and Rev. Don Jones presiding. A time of visitation will be held at the church starting at 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home in Marion. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Zion UCC Christian Education Wing Fund or to Hoyleton Children’s Home. Memorial envelopes will be available at the church or at Blue Funeral Home.