Stephen Fairbanks Fuller

Stephen Fairbanks Fuller, age 76, passed away on January 2, 2026. A native of Aurora, Illinois, he was born on September 29, 1949, to Gardner Clarkson Fuller and June Gertrude (Bauman) Fuller.

Stephen was a proud graduate of West Aurora High School, where he distinguished himself as a talented football player, earning All-State honors. His love of the game continued at the collegiate level, where he played football at both the University of Illinois and Northern Illinois University, ultimately earning his bachelor’s degree.

Stephen spent much of his professional life in sales and marketing, dedicating more than 30 years of his career to Maass Midwest in Huntley, Illinois. He was known for the strong relationships he built through his work, and years of traveling across the country gave him a wealth of knowledge about places worth visiting.

Outside of work, Stephen embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. An avid outdoorsman, he cherished his years living in Wisconsin and the rhythm of lake life, where time on the water—especially around classic boats—brought him great joy. A natural historian at heart, he had a deep appreciation for the past and took pride in collecting antiques, each carefully selected for the story it told. Football remained a lifelong passion, especially his dedication to Illini football; on any given day off, he could often be found proudly clad in orange and blue.

Above all, Stephen treasured his family. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Esther Fuller, who devotedly cared for him in recent years. He was a proud and devoted uncle to Anna (Pedro) Gonzales, Emily (Chad) Deppeler, and Gardner (Megan) Fuller, and a loving great-uncle to Ava Gonzales, Gabriel Gonzales, Charlotte Deppeler, Grant Deppeler, C. Garrett Deppeler, Madeline Fuller, and Noah Fuller. His family will remember him for his stories, his warmth, and the quiet pride he took in each of them.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home, 13160 U.S. Route 34 West, Somonauk, Illinois. Burial will take place at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich, Illinois. For more information or to sign the online guestbook please visit www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com

13160 W. US RT 34~PO BOX 404

Somonauk, IL 60552

(815) 498-2363