STEPHEN R . BYRNE 'BIG DAD', 40 APPLE RIVER - Stephen R. Byrne "Big Dad" 40, of Apple River, IL passed away on August 24, 2013, at Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe, WI, following a short illness. Stephen was born on April 1, 1973, in Cuba City, WI the son of Stephen and Marla (Goebel) Byrne. He graduated from the Warren High School, in the class of 1992. On April 12, 1997, Stephen married Tonya Byrne at Faith Assembly of God in Warren, IL. He was employed as a tree trimmer for Asplundh tree service for 16 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple River, IL. Stephen was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. He lived and breathed guns and bow hunting. He enjoyed hunting morel mushrooms when in season. Stephen loved watching his boys play ball and enjoying father daughter time. He is survived by his wife, Tonya; 3 children, Lindsay, Stephen, and Chase; his parents, Marla and Stephen Byrne all of Apple River; brother, Scott (Melissa) Byrne of Apple River; sister, Shannon (friend, Curt Gerber) Schoville and brother-in-law, Chad Schoville, all of Monroe, WI; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; mother-in-law, Connie, and step father-in-law, Wayne Nickerson of Friendship, WI. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Betty Goebel, Michael and Philomena Bryne; uncles, Sam Byrne and Larry Risser; father-in-law, James Byrne. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 29, 2013, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple River, IL. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, IL. Rev. Max Striedl will officiate at the service. Cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial has been established in his name. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.leamonfh.com.