Stephen H. McLean

Stephen Howard McLean 69, passed away in the early hours of June 30, 2024, finally succumbing to long-term illness. He will be missed by his wife of 34 years, Chris Talsma-McLean and his children Olivia (Austin), Stephen, and Grace.
Steve was born in 1954 in Riverside, California to Marion and James McLean. James was career military in the US Air Force, and his family followed him through a series of bases across the United States and beyond. After a few years in California, the family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where Steve's brother Mark was born.
They then left the US and were stationed in Torrejon, Spain where the boys experienced culture immersion by living off base. Steve's adolescent years were spent living in Madrid, Spain where he learned how to speak fluent Spanish while playing on American baseball teams.
The next stop was Sault Saint Marie, Michigan at Kincheloe AFB, a big culture and weather change from Spain. From Michigan, it was on to Beale Air Force Base in Northern California, near Sacramento. This is where Steve completed high school and started his lifelong love of music and playing the drums. A talented musician, his high school drum line won state competitions while he started playing in bands on the side.
Steve played the drums in bands almost everywhere he lived including Ipswich, England, Oscoda, Michigan and eventually Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was in England where he got his signature 'Jelly Bean' multi-colored drum set.
He settled in Grand Rapids, where he met his wife, Chris. They were married on May 26, 1990, and had three beautiful children. Steve was involved with all the kids' sporting events and coached Stephen in T-ball and Little League baseball. All the kids were talented swimmers, and he coached them in age-group swim teams during the summers.
Steve continued his music career by playing drums with the band Charade in Western Michigan for many years, until marriage and children took more time and attention. Once the children were grown, he reunited with band members in Shimmie Pearl and played gigs around Grand Rapids. Steve also played with The Murphy's Law Band for a number of years, until Covid interrupted live music performances.
During covid he continued to work second shift at Sound Off Signal, assembling light bars for emergency vehicles. He worked there until health issues obliged him to retire in September 2023.
Per Steve's wishes a cremation has been performed and a Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.
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