Stephan Edward Ardan, age 70, passed away peacefully at home on May 12, 2026, with his loving wife and daughter at his side. Steve was born at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet on April 11, 1956, to his parents Joseph and Dolores Ardan. Steve has lived in Joliet his entire life. He loved fixing cars and started doing so in his grandfather's garage at the age of fourteen. His first body shop was located at 53 West Clay Street in Joliet. Later, he designed and built his shop located at 2700 Cherry Hill Road. Steve had plenty of help building his shop on Cherry Hill Road, which included his loving brother Joe, cousin Jim, his dad, and many others.

Steve attended Keith grade school, Washington Junior High, and he graduated from Joliet East High School on June 7, 1974. Steve also taught autobody at Wilco Area Career Center in Romeoville, Il for a year, hoping to inspire young minds.

Steve was extremely talented and a talented artist when it came to body work, so much so that after he painted a customer's firebird, he married her. He was, "the go to guy" for just about anything. Steve loved all creatures, especially all his dogs, cats, birds, possums, raccoons, deer, and even insects, as he chose to catch them and let them go back into nature.

Steve loved the "country" so much that he and Mary Ann bought a few acres and built their home out back from his body shop. He built most of the home himself with his wife. He loved mowing the grass, making a go cart track for his daughter Kelly and helping with the vegetable garden.

Steve loved drag racing, he was one of the first employees of Route 66 Raceway track, worked for NHRA and helped his daughter race her junior dragster. Steve loved watching the races and working on the race cars.

Over the years, Steve fell in love with many YouTube channels, his favorite was "Sonne Farms" in SD, and he visited Brian and Cole Sonne 2-3 times and the cows of course. He also loved Everything Autos, Dutch firefighters, and anything related to racing, building houses and train rides via YouTube.

Steve is survived by his beautiful, loving wife of 41 years, Mary Ann (Blount) Ardan, his amazing, loving daughter Kelly Ardan (Corey), both of Joliet, his brother Joe (Sandy) of Kent Washington, a sister Eleanor (Roger) of Annandale, VA, his nephew Tim (Sephra) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Max Zawada, a true and deeply cherished friend, from Downers Grove, many cousins, Aunts and Uncles from sea to sea, and many friends and customers.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Dolores Ardan, and infant son Stephan, his paternal and maternal grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Per Steve's wishes, no services will be conducted. He will be cremated per his wishes. Those who would like to pay their respects to the family may contact Mary Ann by phone or stop by.

Per Steve's request, in lieu of flowers, donations to the family would greatly be appreciated

Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.