J. Stephen "Steve" Hall

J. Stephen "Steve" Hall, a charter member of a reactivated Civil War unit, retired service station owner and state fleet manager, died Sunday, June 14, 2015, at St. John's Hospital of cardiac arrest. He was 84.

Steve was born Oct. 27, 1930, in Chicago, the son of Wilbur V. and Vera G. (Holmes) Hall. He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Grace McLaughlin, on Dec. 27, 1951.

Steve graduated from Cathedral Boys High School (now Sacred Heart-Griffin) and attended the former Springfield Junior College. He served his country in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Sgt.1st Class and earning a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars, and Commendation Ribbon during the Korean War. He drove a semi-tractor trailer for his family trucking business for 10 years and then was shop foreman for Werner Motor Co. Using his mechanic's and entrepreneurial know-how, Steve later owned and operated two service stations for the Standard Oil Co. for 20 years, including one at the corner of 9th and Jackson, across from Lincoln's Home. After that, Steve became fleet manager for the State of Illinois Division of Vehicles, retiring in 1993 after eight years. He then worked part-time at Pease's Candies as their best caramel and cheese corn cook ever.

A tireless civic promoter, Steve served on the board of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority (SMEAA) for 14 years, became a life member of the Salvation Army advisory board in 2002, and was past president of Rotary International-Springfield. He also put together the Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade for nearly 20 years.

Steve could play and repair many musical instruments and was one of only a couple members of the 44th Infantry Division Band to see service in Korea. He continued his love of the military and bands by serving for years as the bugler in the Sangamon County Interveterans Burial Detail. He was also a member and manager of the Capital Area Concert Band, last playing bass drum and cymbals at a concert just a month ago. He also played in the Heartland Brass Band and the 10th Calvary Band, and as a trumpeter at St. Agnes Catholic Church, where he had been a member since 1938.

Most notably, Steve was the bugler for the 114th Reactivated Civil War Regiment and played military calls and Taps during flag-lowering ceremonies every week during the summer at Lincoln's Home and then Tomb for more than 40 years. As a member of the 114th, he appeared as an extra in the "North and South" miniseries and always said it was easier to "die" right off instead of having to keep charging down the hill on foot.

His hobbies also included carpentry, woodworking and building dollhouses. He built the home he and Margie lived in for 55 years. Steve also was a longtime Boy Scout leader and coached grade school baseball. He himself played slow-pitch softball until he was age 65.

An unabashed patriot and outspoken on many topics, Steve was upset that he didn't get a chance to put out his flags this past Flag Day, the day he died. He also never got the chance to see his beloved Chicago Cubs win a World Series. He actually started growing his trademark beard in 1969, saying he would shave it when the Cubs won the National League pennant. At the time, he thought he'd have it for one summer. A local TV station was all set to film his shaving it off at a sports bar in 2003, but that never happened, either.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Patricia Lindauer; and a niece, Laura.

Besides his wife, Steve is survived by his sons, Michael (wife, Joanne) Hall of Tracy, Calif., and Patrick of Springfield; three daughters, Holly (husband, Daniel) Danks of Portland, Ore., Stephanie (husband, Paul) McGlasson of Mahomet, and Christina (husband, Michael) Murrell of Carbondale; six grandchildren, Kathryn and Laura McGlasson, and Mitchell, Maggie, Adeline, and Hannah Hall; brother, Thomas of Chatham; nieces, Mary Lee Montague, Suzy Parks, Nancy Bedwell, Carolyn Klenkar, Amy Clayton, Mary Ann McGlynn, Marsha Hohe, Barbara Lindauer and Alice Kaufman; and nephews, Brian and Greg Hall, and Paul Lindauer.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2015, at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 2015, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos, Springfield, with Rev. Robert Jallas, celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 116, Springfield, Ill., 62705.