Il Pyo "Steve" Hong

Il Pyo (Steve) Hong, 76, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, surrounded by family and friends whom he embraced, blessed, and spoke with in his final moments. He was a survivor of brain aneurysm in 2002 and had been battling dementia for the last 13 years. Il Pyo was born on December 15, 1948, in Seoul, South Korea, to Soon Gu Hong and Jung Ja Kim. He was the eldest sibling, later joined by his sisters, Chung Hee, Sook Hee, and Nam Hee. From an early age, Il Pyo nurtured a strong spirit of service, a love for creative expression, a sense of adventure, and a deep determination that would guide him throughout his life. At 25, Il Pyo met the love of his life, Kyoung Ja Lee, and they were married in April 1973. Together, they raised a son and a daughter in a home filled with love, laughter, and generosity. In 1983, with great courage and hope for a brighter future, Il Pyo led his family in immigrating to the U.S., instilling in them the importance of dreaming boldly and building resilience. Il Pyo lived for his children, dedicated to providing for and guiding them with both tenderness and strength. To many who knew him, he offered the gift of his presence and love in action — expressed through his playfulness, his listening ear without judgment, and his generosity of time and energy. Il Pyo’s artistry shone as a gifted florist. As the former owner of ‘The Flower Garden’ in Peoria, he was renowned for the exquisite arrangements he lovingly created for the special occasions of family, friends, and his wider community. Il Pyo was preceded in death by his parents, Soon Gu Hong and Jung Ja Kim. He is survived by his wife, Kyoung Ja Hong, son and daughter-in-law, Sung Jin Hong and Adrienne Metzinger; his daughter, Jahee Hong, along with her children’s father, In Yung Yi; his beloved grandchildren, Sahn Adrian Hong Yi and Sung Hong Yi; and his sisters, Chung Hee Hong, Sook Hee Hong, and Nam Hee Hong. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Korean Presbyterian Church, with cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: https://www.oneworldsymphony.org/ One World Symphony 223 W 38th St, Unit 1432, New York, NY 10018.

Il Pyo "Steve" Hong

December 15, 1948 - August 27, 2025