Stephen A. Marlo

Stephen Marlo passed away peacefully at his home in St. Peters. Steve was born to Catherine and Robert Marlo of Cahokia, IL. With them and his four siblings he enjoyed a wonderful childhood full of love, laughter, and family. After graduating high school, he worked hard at many jobs, his favorite being those that kept him outdoors, breathing fresh air and moving his body, as he loved to do.

He adored his children and was so proud of the lives they built and people they grew to be. He also loved spending long hours at the gym, caring for his home, lawn and plants and hanging out with his dogs. Later in life, he met his wife Mary with whom he enjoyed attending concerts, traveling to the lake and growing their canine family. They built a happy life together in their home and loved their years of being grandparents together.

Steve was preceded in death by his father Robert, mother Catherine and brother-in-law Jack. He is survived by his wife, Mary; children Brandon (Levi)(Tanner), Kasya (Rico), Kayla (Brad), Cailie; step-children Brooke (Jarod), Ricky (Kim), Karissa (James) and Sara (Eric); grandchildren Greyden, Kree, Forrest, Gianna, Juliet, Iverie, Tyler, Mason, Eloise, Moira, Izzy, Dessy and Robin; siblings Donna, Michael (Chere), Phyllis, Tom (Kathy); and generations of beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Steve was a wonderful husband, father, and Popo. He loved his family and friends fiercely. His smile and laughter were contagious and would fill the room. He was 66 years old when God called him home to paradise.

A Tribute by Brandon Marlo:

On August 4th, 2026, Stephen Allen Marlo was taken down to Paradise City, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.

And anyone who knew Steve knew exactly where he was headed, because paradise, as it turns out, looks a lot like the life he spent years building here, with all of us.

Every morning begins at the Lake, where the sun is always just coming up, the water is always calm, and the fish are always biting.

At the end of the dock is his father, Robert “Popo” Marlo, who has been waiting for him with a cooler full of cold beer and a bucket of worms.

But by late morning, Steve and Popo can usually be found cruising Paradise City on their riding lawn mowers. Making sure every yard is meticulously maintained. Every edge trimmed. Every flower blooming.

The neighbors swear their grass has never looked greener, even in a place where it’s always green.

And although he doesn’t have to work out anymore, because in paradise, everyone has their version of the perfect body, you’ll still find Steve wandering into the gym on occasion just because old habits die hard. So to speak.

Here, his body has been restored. His pain is gone.

Paradise is perfectly tailored to him.

His vehicles are always clean, the garage is always stocked with every tool he could ever need, and Facebook Marketplace somehow has every treasure he’s ever searched for, waiting with a price that can’t be passed up.

Free.

But by the afternoon, Steve settles into his favorite chair to watch the Cardinals. And up there, they’ve put together the perfect season. Every game is a walk-off win, every pitcher throws a gem, and every October ends exactly the way Cardinals fans always hoped it would.

The floor around him is adorned with every animal he’s ever loved. Big Daddy claimed his spot first, but one by one, they trail in, finding their way back home.

“Daddy loves you,” they hear while being tossed a full Reese's cup.

Remember this is Steve’s paradise, and here, the dogs share his candy collection.

They spend the afternoons piled around him exactly as they always did, convinced there’s no better place in Paradise than wherever Steve happens to be sitting.

And what would paradise be with the holidays? Steve loved them all. And here, Christmas lights go up early. Halloween decorations stay out just a little too long, and the Easter Egg Hunts never end.

Every holiday is an event, because Steve always believed life was better when there was something to celebrate.

As evening settles in, he always finds his way to Catherine “Mimi” Marlo’s house, where she has been preparing the table for him since 2024. And now, with the table set, she welcomes him home.

She’s prepared a spread with spaghetti, bottomless meatballs, fresh bread, and an endless pour of red wine.

As Steve sits back, finally at peace, it seems he’s let his guard down a moment too soon.

Mimi smiles from across the table. “Honey,” she asks, “is that all you’re gonna have?” Because in her Paradise City, you can never eat quite enough.

Causing Steve to let out one of his big, full-body laughs.

As dinner winds down, Brother Jack, who recently joined family dinner in Paradise City, stands, raises a glass, and looks around the table, at the walls covered with the images of their family: Steve’s wife Mary, Steve’s kids: Brooke, Brandon, Kasya, Kayla, and Cailie.

Steve’s grandkids: Greyden, Kree, Forrest, Gianna, Juliet, and Iverie.

At their brothers and sisters, Tom and Kathy, Michael and Cheré, and Donna.

As well as countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Finally, Brother Jack lands on an image of his own wife, Phyllis. Turning back to Steve, he offers a reassuring smile and promise, “Don’t worry, we’ll save them a seat.”

They raise their glasses, and Steve smiles, only the way he could. Big. Contagious.

He waits for the time he’s reunited with his friends and family for each birthday, holiday, lake weekend, and ballgame.

But until then, Steve will keep fishing and mowing lawns with Popo, cheering on the Cardinals, spoiling his dogs, finding deals that are too good to pass up, and making sure Paradise City looks just right before the rest of us get there.

He will miss us every day. And we will miss him. But in Steve’s Paradise City, he already feels right at home.