From obituary:

Steven George Bantz , 46, died on Friday, May 4, 2012, as the result of an accident at home. He was born on September 10, 1965 to Wesley and Rose (Wrestler) Bantz of Peoria, IL. Steve grew up in Peoria and graduated from Dunlap High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Illinois College and the University of Illinois. Steve worked for DuPont beginning in 1987 and married Jeanmarie Badar on May 17, 1993 in Cleveland, OH. For the first two years of their marriage, they lived in Singapore and returned to the States in 1995 to settle in Afton, Virginia, where they have lived for the past 17 years. Steve continued his education, receiving his Master’s degree in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University. Steve was deeply committed to environmental issues and spent one year in Washington D.C. working in the Clean Vehicles department of the Union of Concerned Scientists. After that, he tried his hand at teaching middle and high school students in Waynesboro and at the Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) of the Albemarle Public Schools. But eventually, his passion for engineering brought him back to DuPont, where he has worked for the past year at the Spruance Plant in Richmond, VA. Steve was an avid environmentalist, cyclist, skier/snowboarder, vegetarian, animal lover, banjo player, and loving husband, son, brother, and friend to many. His quiet intelligence, quick-witted sense of humor, love of adventure, and genuine kindness enriched the lives of everyone around him. He is survived by his wife, Jeanmarie Bantz of Afton, VA; his parents, Wesley and Rose Bantz of Peoria, IL; his grandmothers, Dorothy Wrestler and Martha Bantz of Peoria, IL; his sister Lisa (Bantz) Woiwode and her husband, Greg of Manito, IL; and nieces, Abigail and Hanna Starnes; great-niece, Ayla; nephew, Brandon Starnes; and great-nephew, Kaiden; and, of course, his dogs Isaac and Cooper, as well as cats, chickens, rabbits, and a horse, Ginseng. A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at Ravina On the Lake in Peoria, on May 26 at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Steve’s honor to one of the following organizations close to Steve’s heart: The Union of Concerned Scientists, Public Television and Public Radio, The National Parks and Conservation Association; or the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.