Steve G. Botes, Sr., 82, of 2121W  Pine Forest Rd., Mercer, Wis., passed away Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff.      He was born July 15, 1927, in Chicago, Ill., son of the late George and Alice (Alexandropoulos) Botes. After graduating from Harrison High School in May of 1945, he promptly enlisted in the United States Navy. Steve served as a Seabee in the United States Construction Battalions-Pacific Theatre and received an Honorable Discharge in July of 1948.      He married Margaret B. Schmidt on July 17, 1949, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.      Steve obtained an architectural degree from the University of Illinois and was licensed to practice architecture by the State of Illinois in 1955. He resided in LaGrange, Ill. for over 40 years where he and Marge raised four children and he completed prominent architectural projects throughout the Midwest.  He was also licensed in the State of Wisconsin and Michigan. He helped design a number of YMCAs in Wisconsin while working for the National Council of YMCAs in the Midwest. His architectural delineations and illustrations were featured in numerous publications.      Steve enjoyed skin and scuba diving and was a founding member of the Atlantis Divers established in 1956 at the LaGrange, Ill. YMCA. He was also a member of the Cliff Dwellers Club of Chicago, the LaGrange Art League, a Master Mason A.F. & A.M. (32), Scottish Rite-A.A.SR,  and a Shriner with the Medinah Temple-AAON.MS.  In his later years, Steve remained active with the F & A Masons of Wisconsin as a member of Hurley Lodge #237. He was also a member of Robert E. Coulter, Jr. American Legion Post #1941 of LaGrange, SVA Island X2 (Seabees organization), and the Association of Licensed Architects of Wisconsin and Illinois.       Steve enjoyed bowling, golf and time with family. A point of pride was an annual family vacation with the highlight being a trip to Greece. In 2001, Steve and Marge retired to the " North Woods" of Mercer, Wisconsin, where he enjoyed his final years. They joined the United Methodist Church in Mercer and made many good friends.      Surviving are his loving wife, Margaret, of Mercer; two sons, Steve G. Jr., Mercer, and Bradford Sr. (Kaye), Birmingham, Ala.; two daughters, Marcia (Thomas F.) Walsh, Chicago, and Marlena L. Botes, Pompano Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Billie and Zoe Botes, Mercer, Christopher (Colleen) Walsh, Sarah Walsh and Caitlin Walsh, all of Chicago, and Bradford Botes, Jr., Meredith Botes and Philip Botes, all of Birmingham; and a brother, Spirro (Doris) Botes, Inverness, Ill.      Steve was a great husband, father and grandfather. His family will miss him dearly but strive to honor his memory.      Out of respect for Steve's wishes, cremation has taken place.      A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m., at the Mercer United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Larry Olson officiating.      Cake and coffee will be served in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.      Relatives and friends may call at the church from 12:30  to 2 p.m., where a Masonic memorial service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m.      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children at 2211 North Oak Park Ave., Chicago, Il 60707, http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Chicago/  or to the Mercer United Methodist Church for their new kitchen.      To view Steve's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.