Stephen Blaine Bryant

Stephen Blaine “Steve” Bryant, age 81, of Bloomington, Indiana passed away Thursday morning, June 4, 2026 at the Stonecroft Health Campus in Bloomington. Born January 8, 1945, in Cairo, Illinois, he was the son of Blaine and Martha (Aydt) Bryant. He graduated from the University of Illinois and retired as an engineer employed by the U.S. Navy. He was a talented magician and was a member of the Academy of Magical Arts.

A lifelong fascination with magic began in childhood and grew into a passion that shaped much of his life. He was an accomplished magician and author, writing several books on magic and creating The Little Egypt Gazette, an early online magazine for magicians and Little Egypt Magic, a monthly web column. He contributed feature articles to several publications, including MAGIC, the Joe Stevens catalogs, and Genii. He also authored the novels Lucas Mackenzie and the London Midnight Ghost Show and McGrave's Hotel.

Outside of his professional career and contributions to the world of magic, Steve enjoyed a wide range of interests and pursuits. A lifelong lover of music, he especially appreciated the work of Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash. He was an avid reader and writer who loved novels, poetry, movies, and theatre. He enjoyed staying active and participating in a variety of sports, including skiing, biking, and ice skating. Basketball held a special place among his interests, and for decades it was rare for a day to pass without him shooting baskets. He remained an enthusiastic fan throughout his life.

Magic was one of Steve's greatest passions. Whether performing card tricks, attending magic conventions, visiting or performing at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, or sharing his knowledge through writing and publishing, he found joy in bringing wonder and mystery to others. His love of magic connected him with friends around the world and enriched his life for more than seven decades. He also enjoyed visiting Disneyland and Walt Disney World, places that reflected his lifelong appreciation for imagination and creativity. One of his favorite quotations was Walt Disney's observation that "It's kind of fun to do the impossible," a sentiment that captured both his love of magic and his outlook on life.

Family was at the center of Steve's life. He treasured gatherings with relatives and friends, especially evenings spent playing cards, sharing stories, and enjoying his father's barbecue ribs. He shared a close bond with his mother throughout her life and loved spending time with his sisters. He and Beth shared a love of learning, conversation, and family. They took great pride in their children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending evenings together watching Jeopardy. He rarely missed a game, performance, or special event involving his children or grandchildren and especially loved spending time with them, playing games, sharing laughter, stories, and the playful sense of wonder that defined so much of his own life. Those who knew him will remember his creativity, intelligence, and sense of humor, as well as the curiosity and originality he brought to every conversation.

Steve is survived by his loving wife and best friend of over sixty years, Mary “Beth” (Hillyard) Bryant, of Bloomington, his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Simon Beverton, of Bloomington; his son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Cheryl Bryant, of Lake Mary, Florida; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Nancy Hillhouse, of Charleston, Missouri and Marilyn “Bunny” and Jeffrey Shumaker, of Canton, Georgia; and three grandchildren, Maxwell Bryant, Audrey Beverton and Charlie Beverton. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Joshua Bryant.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E 3rd St, Bloomington, Indiana 47401, on June 12, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org), The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/give-tribute), or Monroe County CASA (https://monroecountycasa.org/).