Kent "Mac" McQueen

1948 - 2025

Kent "Mac" McQueen
Born: June 3, 1948 in Princeton, IL
Died: September 27, 2025 in Peru, IL
Kent "Mac" McQueen, 77, of Peru, passed peacefully at home on September 27, 2025. He was surrounded by family and friends.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, October 3, at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with Deacon John Murphy officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, October 2, from 4-7:00 PM and additional visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 AM until time of services.
Mac was born on June 3, 1948 in Princeton to Dr. Kent and Priscilla (Luetscher) McQueen Sr. He was the oldest of six children including, Douglas (Norma) of Peoria, Chuck (Mary) of Olney, MD, Margaret (Lynne) of Tulsa, OK, Robert (Kim) of Naples, FL, and Arthur of Elmwood Park, IL. He attended school in Tiskilwa and graduated from Princeton High School. He attended Millikin in Decatur, earning degrees in Psychology and Engineering. After, Mac found a long-time career at UPS.
On July 4th, 1983, Mac married the love of his life, Lois Maxine, on Mac's family farm. Their union included combining their four sons, Kent McQueen of Leavenworth, KS., Steven (Randi) Brown of Ladd, Christopher (Meagan) McQueen of Evansville, IN., and Matthew (Angie) McQueen of Urbana, IL., to complete their family.
Mac and Lois started a successful business, Illinois Valley Diesel Injection Services, Inc. in 1983. They moved to Peru, IL in 1984. Mac was known as the GOAT for being a knowledgeable, capable and honest businessman. His skills and ability to always find a way to make the repair is made him a natural. Mac never fully retired. He worked the day before he suffered a stroke.
Mac had many hobbies. His love for the Ford Motor brand encouraged him to tinker with and restore cars. He enjoyed visiting with fellow enthusiasts at local car shows. Mac was also an avid aviation fan. He was often found building airplane models. He loved all things aviation but had a special interest in the Warbirds of WWII. Mac's knowledge of the Great War was mind blowing. He enjoyed talking about it and passed that love onto anyone who would listen.
Mac's biggest passion and source of pride, besides his wife and sons, are his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His grandsons, Collin and Gavin, were two of his best friends. Mac and Collin spent hours discussing WWII and planes. Mac and Gavin spent time working on cars and tinkering with other projects. Mac had a soft spot and gentleness towards his granddaughters, Cassandra, Miranda and Evie. His eyes would light up when he saw them, and he always let people know how beautiful and smart they are. Mac had a way of making children laugh and feel safe. It was a blessing that such a kind man was able to love his three great grandchildren, Josiah, Ayden and Hunter.
Mac was a kind, gentle, loving man. People loved him and he loved them back fiercely and loyally. His best friend, John Murphy, grew up with Mac and they remained friends until the end. Mac was also the type of man who didn't believe you had to share DNA to be family. His honorary "little sister", Shanon Edwards, stood with the family through his care and as he took his last breath. Mac also mentored and loved many people in his career. He was so proud of his honorary son and coworker, Danny Whitticombe.
Mac is already terribly missed by his family and friends. He was pure love to us all. We loved him deeply as he loved us. As we navigate life not hearing his sounds of joy when he was enjoying a particularly delicious dinner, not seeing his arms behind his back as he inspected something interesting, not feeling his arms embracing us in the tightest hugs, not seeing his beautiful blue eyes sparkle when he told a terrible joke, we will find peace. Mac has been welcomed into Heaven, into the arms of our Lord. We know that he was welcomed by his parents, friends and family, and Chad.
God speed, Mac. We've got it from here. And thank you for being the man you didn't have to be.
The family asks that any donations be made in Mac's name to St. Jude's or Shriner's Hospitals.
Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.