Melvin G. Steffan

Melvin G. "Mel" Steffan, 92, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Oak Terrace Heathcare Center. Mel was a lifelong resident of Springfield. He was born November 21, 1919, the son of George Otto Steffan and Anna Gertrude (Rodrick) Steffan. He married Claire Marie Flood on April 26, 1947. Mel proudly served our country during World War II as a 1st lieutenant and B-25 pilot with the 57th Bomb Wing of the United States Army Air Corps. He commanded air crews in the United States and Europe and was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Medal, the Presidential Citation, European Battle Ribbons and Bronze Stars as well as a Distinguished Unit Badge and Oak Leaf Cluster. He returned to the United States in November of 1945 and remained an officer in the Reserve Corps until October 1955. Upon his return, Mel worked at Sangamo Electric Company as a Supervisor and Manufacturing Foreman until 1978. Thereafter he was employed by the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. Mel loved spending time with his family and was a devoted Cub fan, an avid duck hunter and an expert gardener. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Tyrian Lodge #333, a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, a member of the Elks Lodge #158, a member and deacon of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and later a member of Chatham Presbyterian Church. Mel is survived by his wife of 64 years, Claire, 2 daughters: Susan, (Al) Manson of Springfield, Marilyn (John) Tebrugge of Sandwich, IL, 1 granddaughter, Alicia Manson and 4 grandsons: Jason Manson, Adam (Monica) Tebrugge, Joseph (Katie) Tebrugge, and Daniel Tebrugge and 5 great grandchildren. A private family memorial service will be held with burial at Camp Butler Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Mel's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Attn: Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780 New York, New York, 10008-0780 or Chatham Presbyterian Church, 1835 E. Walnut St. Chatham, IL 62629.