Steven Michael Eitelhuber

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Steven Michael Eitelhuber suddenly passed away on January 11, 2025, at his home in Columbus, GA, just 6 days shy of his 43rd birthday. Born January 17, 1982, in Lake Forest, IL, the only child of Susan Kimble and the late Steve Eitelhuber Sr., he spent most of his childhood in Palatine, IL, with his mom and stepfather, Gary Pyka, and his 2 stepbrothers, Steve (Dennis Feliciano) of San Francisco, CA, and Matt (Hilary Holmes) of Moore, South Carolina.

Steve was a HUGE fan of the Chicago Bulls, the Cubs, even the Bears! He was a music aficionado, and he was simply crazy about cars; even as a very young child he could name most makes and models of the cars he saw. Fortunately, several of his job choices involved cars in some form or other, but he also dabbled in restaurant work and customer service.

Steve was a wanderer and lived at various times in California, Arizona, Florida, and Illinois before settling in Georgia with his great friend, the late Tim Falk. Tim’s sister Cori and her husband Paul were Steven’s extra family for many years since he was so far from home. Recently, Steven was able to move closer to his cousin Jessica and her kids, Izzy, Logan, and Alex. A special thank you goes to them, especially Jess and Logan, for their care of Steven in the past months.

This man was a fighter, and he faced many battles over his lifetime due to medical conditions that he had suffered since birth, but he never gave up and was always ready to go to yet another specialist to find answers and relief.

Steven began his career as a “friendly neighbor” when he would ride his bike around his neighborhood, making friends along the way. Young or old, it didn’t matter, he liked everybody. He kept many of these friendships going all through his adult years as well. He was a kind-hearted, caring, and generous soul who would give even when he had little to spare.

We will miss his fantastic and sassy sense of humor, and that smile of his that lit up his whole face. Just thinking of it brings a smile to our own faces, at a time when we are struggling with this loss. His passing has been such a shock to us, but not really a surprise after his lifetime of medical issues and care.

Those who will be greatly missing him are his mother Susan, stepfather Gary, stepbrothers Steve and Matt. Also, Aunts Kathy Franjiose (Rich), Cindy Mueller (Doug), Jane Kimble (Rick Ray) and Uncle David Kimble, step-grandma Rita Kimble, cousins Megan Rose (Matthew Reis), Matthew Franjiose, Jessica Valldeperas, Scott (Monica) Mueller, A.J.(Hannah) Mueller, and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents Elizabeth Kimble, Earl Kimble, and Patricia Earle, his Aunt Ruthanne Kimble, and Uncle Bill Kimble.

Farewell, our Steven. You will be missed, always.

Cremation arrangements are being made at McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd, Columbus, GA, 31907.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.