Steve Brent McGaw Sr.

1948 - 2018

Steve Brent McGaw Sr. 1948—2018
Steve Brent McGaw, Sr., son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, was born July 10, 1948, in Springfield, IL, and passed suddenly August 9, 2018. He met his wife of 50 years, Brenda Phillips, a fellow Springfield High School graduate, at Steak & Shake while working as a cook and she as a car hop. Steve's journey led him and his family through several distinguished careers including working musician, journeyman plumber, City of Rockford water inspector, and Captain of the Boeing 757/767 at Delta Airlines. He was extremely proud to be a member of the Free Masons, Shriners, and Quiet Birdmen. He cherished racing go karts with his boys while his wife and young daughter played in the pit, contemplating his farm from a tree stand, tinkering in the garage and hangar, and above all, flying. He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda (Phillips) McGaw; four children, Steven Jr. (Holly), Bradley (Marla), Brandon (Susan), and Heather (Michael) Simons; twelve grandchildren, Andrew, Breanna, Iann, Abbigail, Jacob, Leeanna, Dallas, Nolan, Natalie, Nash, Asher, and Amelia; and four great-grandchildren, Bentley, Brailey, Huntley, and Grahm. He is preceded in death by his father, Colin McGaw, Jr.; mother, Rita (Halberg) McGaw-Johnson; stepfather, Laverne Johnson; sister, Coleen (McGaw) Brawner; and two precious infant grandbabies.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 16, 2018, in Durand Methodist Church, 102 E. Main Street, Durand, IL. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Interment in Bethel Cemetery in Durand, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Durand United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 168, Durand, Illinois. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1001 Second Ave. Rockford, IL. To send a memory or share a condolence, visit olsonfh.com