Our Staff
The Pate Family |
Steven A. Pate - Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer / Crematory Operator
Steven grew up in Saint Jacob, Illinois, a rural farm community with a population of 800. He graduated in 2003 from Triad High School in Troy, Illinois. In 2006, he received his Associate Degree in Funeral Service Education from St. Louis Community College, Forest Park. Over the past seven years Steven has had the opportunity to gain valuable experience assisting families at Lake View Funeral Home & Crematory, Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home & Crematory, and Kurrus Funeral Home & Crematory. Steven is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Illinois and Missouri and a certified crematory operator. Steven is the past secretary/treasurer, vice president, and president of the St. Clair County Funeral Directors Association and Region 3 Director for the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. Steven became President of Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in November 2013. He is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the funeral profession and honoring loved ones. Steven is a past president of the Benton Rotary Club, a Past President and Board Member of the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Son's and Grandson's of the Benton American Legion, the Benton/West City EDC, the Benton Elk Lodge 1234, he currently serves as the Esteem Leading Knight and the Benton Lions Club. In 2017, Steven Pate was one of eleven inducted to the Southern Business Journals "Leaders Among Us". In 2018, Pate Funeral Home was the Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the year. In 2019, Steven Pate was named the Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. In 2020, Pate Funeral Home received the Illinois Award of Funeral Service Distinction from the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. Steven is the proud father to his dog named Luna.
Steve Pate Jr. - Funeral Assistant / Crematory Operator
Steve grew up in Troy, Illinois and is a 1980 graduate of Triad High School. He married Becky Seipp in November 1981, and moved to Saint Jacob, Illinois. Steve has worked in carpentry his whole life and was owner & operator of Pate’s Kitchen & Bath until October 2013, when son Steven Pate, needed a funeral assistant & person to handle building maintenance & lawn care. Steve was very active in the Saint Jacob area as he was on the Volunteer Fire Department, The Sons of the American Legion and on the committee of the very successful Jakey in June Bar-B-Que contest. Steve is an outdoors person as he loves fishing, hunting and racing.
Becky Pate - Office Manager
Becky grew up in O’ Fallon, Illinois and is a 1980 graduate of O’ Fallon Township High School. She married Steve Pate, Jr. in November 1981, & moved to St. Jacob, Illinois. Becky worked in the newspaper industry for 33 years in various capacities, the last being the credit and collections supervisor for the advertising accounts at the Belleville News Democrat in Belleville, Illinois. She along with her husband Steve moved to Benton to assist their son, Steven Pate,at the funeral home as the Office Manager.Becky was on the St. Jacob Park Board as a park commissioner and was on the St. Jacob Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, watching sporting events and racing.
Dale King - Funeral Assistant
Dale King is a Benton resident and a 1982 graduate from Frankfort Community High School. Dale and his wife Melissa are members of New Life Church of God in Benton. Dale and Melissa have four daughters. Dale previously worked for Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home and returned in 2014 as a funeral assistant. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, riding motorcycles and flying radio-controlled airplanes.
In Remembrance of Mike Joplin - Custodian
In Loving Memory of Michael "Mike" T. Joplin, 72, of Benton, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:20 p.m., on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, with his loving wife by his side, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital, Mount Vernon, IL. Mike is a Benton native and a 1962 graduate from Benton Consolidated High School. He received his Bachelors in Science in Paralegal Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.Mike is a United States Navy Veteran (Corpsman –TAD Marine Corps) and attends New Life Church of God in Benton.He and his wife Linda have four children Rob, Mike, Nikolai and Sarah. Mike enjoys spending time with his family and being active in fitness. He has been part of the Pate family since 2010.
Mike- We are forever grateful of your service, friendship, genuine heart and loyalty. You will always be in our hearts. -Pate Funeral Home Staff-
