J. Stephen "Steve" Bares

J. Stephen “Steve” Bares, 77, of Freeport, passed away, Thursday May 18, 2023 at Pearl Pavilion. Steve was born November 2, 1945 in Freeport, the son of Roland and Orelda (Lyons) Bares. He married his high school friend, Mary Pat Downing, on April 12, 1997. They spent 13 years in Havana, IL, returning to their hometown of Freeport in June of 2020. Mr. Bares proudly served his country in the US Navy from 1965-1967 during the Vietnam War.

Steve enjoyed golfing, watching any John Wayne movies, going on road trips, playing cards with his best friend Dar “Wink” Winkelmann, and especially playing Frisbee with his faithful Border Collie, Skye, whom he loved so dearly. He was a die-hard Cubs and Notre Dane fan. He had the Bares Insurance Agency for many years retiring in 1999. Surviving is his wife, Mary Pat Bares of Freeport; children, Scott (Kelly) Bares of Lake Carroll, Wendy (Dave)Hagen of Jordan, MN, David Bares of Seattle, WA, Richard (Kasie) Bares of Oregon, WI, and step-son, Ryan (Tiffany) Fletcher of Havana, IL; grandchildren, Andrew, Ryan, Ben, Katie Chloe, Andy, Braden, Ava, Jake, and Jack.

Mr. Bares was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Tuesday May 23, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Fr. Peter Snieg will officiate. Visitation 9:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A memorial has been established for Mr. Bares in his memory.