Stephen Kovalec, 63 of Galena, IL passed away unexpectedly Friday, November 4, 2016 on a beautiful autumn day. Funeral service will be 11 AM, Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena with Pastor Bill Longmore officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Galena where military rites will be accorded graveside by the Galena VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193. Friends may call from 4 to 7 PM, Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Furlong Funeral Chapel. He was born in Honolulu Hawaii on July 2, 1953 the son of Steve and Doris (Bartolozzi) Kovalec. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1971 serving during the Vietnam and Cold War until his honorable discharge. He attended Annapolis Naval Academy, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Illinois-Chicago where he worked on his PHD in Philosophy. He was united in marriage to Diane “Daz” Anton on May 13, 1998 in Galena. Stephen was a self-employed construction contractor mainly in the Chicago area but in the Galena area as well where his home renovation was on the Galena Tour of Homes. He was an avid gardener who enjoyed participating in the Farmers Markets specializing in his organic garlic. He was a Steelers fan and enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River in the 1962 houseboat, “Mississippi Mermaid”. His greatest joy was time spent with his twin sons, Mateo and Nicolao. He is survived by his wife, two sons Mateo and Nicolao, his mother, Doris Kovalec, brother, Peter Kovalec, his sister, Susanna (Marty) Bower, many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his father Steve Kovalec, and nephew, Matthew Luna.