Antioch Township supervisor dies

Antioch Township Supervisor Steve Smouse, a longtime public servant and devoted family man, died Sunday, his family said.

Smouse, 65, served as supervisor since 1999 and was re-elected to the post this past spring. His civic involvement extended beyond that, however, from being involved with the Rotary Club of Antioch to serving on a steering committee for a Lake County dial-a-ride service.

"The people of Antioch knew he was a wonderful brother, he was a wonderful husband to his wife and (father) to his daughter, and he did everything he could for the township," said his brother, Jeff Smouse. "His record speaks for itself."

Steve Smouse made an appointment with his cardiologist last month at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee because he thought he was having minor heart trouble, Jeff Smouse said. Instead, he said, Steve was diagnosed with a "very aggressive" form of cancer and had been undergoing treatment ever since.

He died at the hospital 16 days later surrounded by family, Jeff Smouse said.

"This happened so fast, it caught us all off guard," his brother said. "It was a shock."

In addition to his role as township supervisor, Smouse was the president of the Antioch Hillside Cemetery Association, a retired member of the Rotary Club of Antioch and was involved with the Antioch Historical Society, according to his candidate profile. He had also been active with the Antioch Rescue Squad, the village's planning commission and the Antioch Arbor Day Committee.

Funeral arrangements are pending.