Stephen Marshall

The beautiful, gigantic, generous, loving, humorous and unique spirit and heart of Stephen Marshall, 65, of Woodstock, Illinois, entered this world on April 2nd 1957, at the Warrington Victoria Park Maternity home in Warrington, England.  The son of Brian and Jean Marshall, he grew up in Penketh, Warrington, England where he developed his unbeatable soccer skills, his love and obsession for the Tottenham Hotspur Football Team, passion for music, guitar, comedy, trivia and entertaining a crowd.  His spirit and life have touched countless people not only throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and England, but all over the world including at least 17 countries located in Europe, North Africa, the South Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.  Steve ignited every room he walked into and had the gifted ability to find common ground with everyone he met, no matter their age, hobbies, vocation, or beliefs.  Steve’s greatest joy was to make people laugh and bring them together.

After attending Penketh High School, Steve studied the art of hair design, inspired by Vidal Sassoon, at the Altrincham Hairdressing College in England, receiving his certification in 1973. For several years, he styled hair in various salons in the Warrington area until his cousin, John Rhodes, also a hairstylist, suggested he come to the U.S and work at his beauty shop.  In 1976, Steve flew 3,810 miles from Manchester, England to Chicago where his cousin met him and they drove another 8 ½ hours and 602 miles to the beauty shop in Nevada, Missouri.  Steve’s bold decision to come to a country, that most people in England had only seen on television, changed his life trajectory forever.  For several years in Nevada, he developed his hairstyling techniques, started his DJing business in 1980, and met Janet Koukol, his first wife and the mother of their 2 daughters Zoë and Fiona.  Steve and Janet moved to Crystal Lake, Illinois in 1983 where he worked for the local hair stylist Paul Hyland, and then in 1985, opened his own hair salon, British Hairways, in downtown Crystal Lake.  In 1997, he and Claudia Heinz became business partners, and they established International Hairways, just a few doors down from British Hairways, where the Raue Center now stands.  November 3rd, 2022, was their 25th anniversary of business together.  On December 16th, 2022, the Crystal Lake Mayor, Haig Haleblian, presented the salon with the Crystal Lake Community Investment Award, which recognizes Steve’s and Claudia’s contribution to enhancing and improving the local business climate and their 25-year investment in the downtown Crystal Lake community.

Over the decades, Steve compassionately, patiently, and tirelessly styled hair, passionately played and watched soccer, energetically DJed countless weddings and parties and brought such a dynamic and connecting atmosphere to these events that he never had to advertise his DJ services.  He also was an avid guitar player, loved to write poems and songs, perform stand-up comedy, lead trivia nights, and collect rock-n-roll memorabilia.  He prided himself on shocking people with obscure facts on music, soccer, and history.  He completed many of The Second City comedy classes, including the 5 levels of the Second City Improv curriculum.  However, no matter how busy his life was, he always had time to create precious and memorable moments with his cherished daughters, Zoë and Fiona.  Two of his favorite activities with them were “secret missions” and days trips, always filled with surprising, silly, spontaneous, hilarious, and unforgettable moments.  In 2008, Steve married Cheryl, the love of his life. Even though they were opposites in more than one way, for more than 15 years, they travelled well together, inspired each other to be fearless and had a love of life, laughter, and spontaneity.

Sadly, on December 15th, 2022, Stephen unexpectedly, but peacefully, left us.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Brian and Margaret Jean (née Britton) Marshall, and his grandparents, Bill and Mary Britton, and Ethel and Walter Marshall.  He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Marshall (née Van Wynen), his daughters Zoë Marshall (Ian Purinton), Fiona Marshall (John Rudzena), his sister Christine (Robert) Foley, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, extended family and endless friends.  Even though he was taken too soon, he will never be forgotten.  His impact on our lives will forever live on.

Visitation is Friday December 30th, at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rte. 176), Crystal Lake, IL 60014 from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm with a service to immediate follow. Immediately following the service, there will be a Celebration of Life starting at 5:00 pm at Old Towne Hall (above Heisler’s Bootery), 54 Brink St. in downtown Crystal Lake. There will be ample refreshments, music, a short program, and a microphone for anyone who would like to share something, such as a memory, poem, a song, or a character sketch about Steve.  Interment will be private.

Funeral attire is not required (or expected) and attendees are encouraged to wear something in memory of Steve, whether it is Tottenham gear, an Elvis pin, a David Bowie, T-Rex or Beatles t-shirt, a kilt or even a costume.  There will also be tribute spaces for photos and written pieces at the funeral home.  Please feel free to bring a picture or two of Steve and yourself or write something beforehand to add to those spaces.  There will also be markers to spontaneously write or draw something in his memory.