Steven Wade Ingram

1949 - 2025

Steven Wade Ingram

May 2, 1949 - November 2, 2025

DECATUR – Steven Wade Ingram, of Decatur, went to be with The Lord on Sunday, November 2nd, after complications from a surgical procedure.

Steven was born on May 2, 1949, in Quincy, IL, to parents Ivan and Ninabelle Ingram of Versailles, IL. Steve graduated from Brown County High School in 1967. Following his graduation, he began dating Carla Lidgard from the nearby town of Chambersburg.

Shortly after her 18th birthday, Steve and Carla were married on October 12, 1969, in Chambersburg, IL. They had two children, Andy Ingram, of Duncanville, TX, and Amy Summerville, of Tuscola, IL. After finding his passion teaching Sunday School classes at Versailles Christian Church and working at places that didn't really suit him, which included taking classes to become an Auctioneer, he decided to become a minister, graduating from Ozark Christian College in 1978.

Steve began his ministry in Duenweg, MO, during his time at college. After graduation he took a full-time ministry position at Kingsway Christian Church, in Mt. Vernon, MO.

In 1981, the family moved to Monticello, IL, where he spent the next 22 years of his ministry before finishing his pre-retirement years at Northwest Christian Church and South Shores Christian Church in Decatur, before retiring in 2019. After a year of retirement, Steve resumed fill-in preaching, only to later take on what would be his last pastoral role at the Bement Christian Church, in Bement, IL.

In addition to his ministry work, Steve was the author of two books, a founding member of The Bement Country Opry, which to him was like a "Second Congregation" for the 30-plus years of its existence. Through portrayal of his opry character "Saul Simpleton," he was a three-time Comedian of the Year award winner from the Illinois Country Music Association. In his later years he was also a member of the men's barbershop quartet known as "Heaven Bound."

In his free time, he enjoyed watching Cubs games and taking naps in front of the television. Most of all he loved his grandchildren, and was very excited about the recent arrival of his first great-grandchild, Maverick Craddock.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Carla; his son, Andy and his wife Shonna; his daughter, Amy and her husband Geoffrey. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Gavin of Decatur, Grayson of Cedarville, TX, Kimberly Craddock and her husband Hunter of Philo, IL, Garrett Ingram and his wife Rimmon of Philadelphia, PA, Timothy Summerville of Tuscola, IL, Genna Ingram of New York, NY, and Steven J Summerville of Tuscola, IL.

A Visitation will be held Friday, November 7th, at Monticello Christian Church from 3 to 6 p.m. The address is 1699 N. State Street in Monticello, IL. The Funeral Service will be Saturday, November 8th, at Monticello Christian Church at 10 a.m. A Graveside Service will be at 2:15 p.m. at Versailles West Side Cemetery in Versailles IL.

In honor of Steve's love for life, the family requests casual attire be worn for the services. He especially loved Hawaiian shirts and Chicago Cubs attire.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the following: Christ to the Nations, a mission to the Filipino people; Little Galilee Christian Camp, Clinton, IL; Ozark Christian College, Joplin, MO; and Re-Entry Experts, a not-for-profit organization founded by Shonna Ingram for missionaries returning to their home country.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.