Carl "Boom Boom" Edward Steinmacher 1941 - 2021
Springfield, IL—Carl passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, June 2, 2021, at home after a battle with cancer.
He was born in Springfield on August 2, 1941, to Louis and Elizabeth (Keller) Steinmacher. Carl is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Louis Jr., George, Joseph and John Steinmacher; and his beloved daughter, Carlea Steinmacher Wiedner.
Carl, known to most as "Boom Boom," lived a life of doing what he loved most. After completing his second year of high school, Carl decided school wasn't for him and, with his parents' blessing, joined the Army. He served from 1958-1961 as a member of the 1st Missile Battalion, 33rd Artillery, Barton barracks in Ansbach, Germany. It was here that he learned and loved the art of explosives. Upon returning home to Springfield, he went to work for Kroger Grocery.
It was in 1971, at the request of friends celebrating a July 4th anniversary with professional grade fireworks, that Carl reconnected with his Army experience. He traveled to Osco, Illinois to learn the ropes and was offered a job. It was then a new era began with Stars and Stripes Fireworks of Springfield, Illinois. He retired the company in 2004 and became lead pyrotechnician of Nostalgia Fireworks.
Over the next 50 years, five generations of memories would be created for folks across central Illinois as he put on shows lighting up the skies. He created the oohs and aahs at the Illinois State Fair starting in the Jim Thompson era, the Springfield races, LincolnFest, Sangamon County Fair, Rock the Dock, First Night, the Susan G. Komen Fun Run, Muni, multiple school drama productions and backyard parties across the capitol city.
Proud to be a veteran himself, Carl also provided military effects for reenactments at Fort Massac in Metropolis, Illinois. He boomed his way of the tops of the grandstand acts like B.B. King, the Beach Boys and Willie Nelson, never sacrificing a great show over safety, and his shows did not disappoint.
Carl is survived by two sisters, Dolores Young and Betty Ann (Arnold) Kochman, both of Springfield; several nieces and nephews; and very close firework family friends.
The rite of cremation will be honored and a private service will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
Memorial may be made to the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail 224 Twin Oaks Drive, Rochester, IL 62563 or the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Thanks for lighting up the skies, Boom Boom!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The State Journal-Register from Jun. 4 to Jun. 6, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Carl Steinmacher

Sponsored by Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home - Springfield.

21 Entries

Dj Ron Dunham

May 29, 2023

Carl,
I´ve worked with you for many years doing the Twinlakes shows and you have been a great friend to me and I am very grateful for your friendship! You were a wonderful person and a wonderful person to work with! You will truly be missed by many people. Every time we work shows you would ask are you ready to come to work with me. We carefully carried out your wishes that if for some reason something happened to you that you wanted your ashes sprinkled within (Twinlakes) a show you absolutely loved so much. Those wish came true!(Your crew behind your company Star and Stripes made this happen) You will forever be there. I´ll see you again on the other side! Mean while do what you do best! And keep the sky´s lit with all those beautiful colors! May you forever rest in those beautiful skies. We will all remember who you are and never forget you!
Dj Ron Dunham.

Carl I Greenwood

July 10, 2021

Thanks for all you did for the Illinois Korean Memorial, Boom Boom. I'm losing a GREAT friend

Rory Keylon

July 1, 2021

What a dear man. I was given his name to acquire some confetti cannons for a work photo shoot. Carl refused to take money for this so we made a donation to Lincoln Land Honor Flight in his name. We sent him a letter letting him know what we'd done in his name and to thank him again for his work. He called me to say this brought tears to his eyes and really made his day. He told me he was a veteran and really appreciated our thoughtfulness. I'll never forget my very limited experience with him because he touched my heart as a genuinely kind man. RIP Carl, it was nice to meet you.

Robert and June Stanton

June 11, 2021

He really showed alot of fireworks in his lifetime we enjoyed them .he knew my husbands bro Sonny Stanton, and Robert my husband. He will be missed very much he is like an angel in the sky taking care of all his friends

Jodi Elmore Larson

June 9, 2021

I knew Carl many years ago through his brother Joe at SSBC. Great memories. The family is in my thoughts and prayers. As Brother Joe would say "Don't go near the water".

Sheila Parkhouse

June 7, 2021

Rest in peace Carle. You'll forever be in my heart.

Roxy Schmidt-Gundy

June 6, 2021

Carl was not only my mom's (Charlotte Schmidt) cousin, he was also a family friend. I have many memories of him coming out to our house on the weekends and visiting and shooting off those fabulous fireworks displays! I'll never forget the "Roxy 30th" fireworks display he made for my 30th birthday! It was so awesome! Carl, you will be greatly missed by the Schmidt family. RIP Carl.
RoxySchmidt-Gundy

Nicky Stratton

June 6, 2021

If I could talk to Carl right now, this is what I would say,

Carl, do you remember when you used to do all of the downtown Fireworks displays every 4th of July? I used to take care of the details and you brought your finest to a beautiful display every year. Do you remember the year that they asked me to work with another vendor? I couldn't say no, but I was sorely disappointed. I know you were disappointed, but you accepted the situation with grace.

That year early in the morning on the 4th of July, I turned on the radio and heard that the chosen vendor had a terrible fireworks accident on the lake, destroying all of his equipment. He couldn't do the show that night

I called you and before I could say anything, you said "if you need me tonight my crew and I will be there." And you were there. And it was a beautiful night and a beautiful show. From that time for as long as you and I were responsible for that annual display nobody ever suggested anyone else but you because you were the best.

Wherever you are right now, it's got to be a good place and I would bet they've already asked you to handle the fireworks. It's guaranteed to be a beautiful show

Carl Priddy

June 5, 2021

RIP Boom Boom. You were a wonderful person and the best of friends to the Priddy family. Thank you for your service to our country and to the hundreds of thousands of firework fans who watched your spectacular displays throughout the years. Carl and Liz Priddy

Kim Klickna

June 5, 2021

I was teaching band at Jefferson middle school 25 years ago. We were preparing a song called Royal Fireworks Music, and I was hoping to shoot off some kind of fireworks. Someone gave me Carl's name. He told me "there's no way you're shooting off any kind of fireworks in a school gym." He loaned me, free of charge, two large confetti canons. I filled them with cut up paper of various kinds. On the last note of the song one of the kids pushed the button. With a loud whoosh the confetti shot to the top of the gym. The audience was VERY surprised. It was wonderful. I loved Carl and I am really going to miss him. Rest in peace, my friend.

Sharon Bell

June 5, 2021

Betty - So sorry to learn of Carl’s passing. We all go way back & have many memories of him to treasure. May he rest in eternal peace.

Stefanie Richardson Lawing

June 5, 2021

I met Boom Boom in1995..he soon became a very dear friend to me. He was an amazing man, a true friend and a very talented pyrotechnician!! He will be missed so much! Im sure he is lighting up the skies in heaven. My sincere condolences to his family. Rest Easy Boom!

Joann Sarff Lynn

June 5, 2021

I am sorry to hear about Carl's passing. I have thought about Missy many times over the past years, and wondered how Carl was.

June 4, 2021

Anne Lawler

June 4, 2021

man! The best fireworks show for the Kroger employees, back in the late 1970's! He will really light up the skies, now! Blessings to his family!

Diana (Schmidt) Burris

June 4, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of Carl's passing. Will always have wonderful memories of the awesome firework shows that he put on for our family while when we were growing up! I send my love to Delores and Betty Anne and their families.

J. B. Campbell

June 4, 2021

It was an Honor, and pleasure to have known, and worked with Carl and most of all to have called him my friend. You will be missed. Rest in peace

Gary Stone

June 4, 2021

Today is truly a sad day. 'Boom Boom' was larger than life and there will never be another person to fill his shoes. He lived his life well, where and how he chose, respected others and was always willing to help anyone. If he had something, and somebdy needed it, he gave it to them. His friendship was unconditional and unequaled.

As a pyrotechnicin, he was second to none. If someone could dream it, Carl could shoot it. His attention to detail, especially the safety of his crew and spectators, was always his primary concern. His shows were always top quality.

The last time we spoke (by phone) was several weeks ago, and he still sounded like Carl - optimistic and ready for anything. Little did I know, he was so sick. I had hoped to be able to spend some time with him this weekend while I was back in Illinois for a few days, but God had other plans.

And so it is, I will not be able to see, or talk with, him again, but I will take great comfort in knowing he is with his parents brothers and - the absolute pride of his life - Pumpkin.

Godspeed Carl. You will always be a treasured part of my memory and friendship.

Kris Vanetten

June 4, 2021

Living in Texas we just found out the news. My heart hurts for our Boom. So many many memories. Fly high sweet man and light up ours skies with your love.

Kim Curry

June 4, 2021

It is my honor to have known Carl "Boom Boom". He was always friendly and even on the phone, you could here his smile in his voice. Please add many years of fireworks at Springfield Air Rendezvous to the list of events. I knew his brother Joe as my childhood Santa and then later in years became friends with Boom Boom. Rest well my friend.

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