John J. Stepanek

John J. Stepanek, 95, of Mascoutah, IL, formerly of Red Bud, IL, born Oct. 7, 1920 in Essex, IL, died Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the MarKa Nursing Home in Mascoutah.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving from 1942 to 1946 in the Panama Canal Zone and Galapagos Islands until discharged with the rank of Captain.  His civilian career included 36 years of federal service with the TVA, War Dept., Navy Dept., and Air Force as a Contracting Officer for years.  He also served as a Contracting Officer for NASA in negotiating the contract for the first space capsule, piloted by Alan Shepard, on May 5, 1961.  He recorded on movie film, in real time, the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, on July 20, 1969, stepping off the Lunar Module, Eagle, on to the surface of the moon, and saying “That’s one small step for (a) man.  One giant leap for mankind.”  He retired at Scott AFB, IL in 1979.  He spent 10 years in real estate sales, and was last associated with Coldwell Banker.  While employed in Washington, DC, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree at George Washington University.

He was a Charter member of St. Martin of Tours Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mascoutah; the Mascoutah Lions Evening Club; the American Legion; served 10 years on the Mascoutah Redevelopment and Development Commission; participated in starting the Main Street Program with Mayor Haas and the Illinois Dept.; and as one of the founders of the Concerned Christians, Inc.  He was on the Board of Directors of the Mascoutah Senior Center for two years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary, nee Pavel, Stepanek; his beloved wife, Dorothy, nee Drow, Stepanek who died May 22, 2005; a son Gary Frank Stepanek who died in 1980; a brother, Frank Anton who was killed in action at Sea in 1945 during WW II aboard the USS Franklin aircraft carrier; a sister, Emily (Ed) Koenig; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Awl and Muriel Van Beuning.

He is survived by a son, Dr. David Charles (Dyanne) Stepanek of Yakima, WA; daughter-in-law, Joan Stepanek of Granite City, IL; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Shane) Biggs of Granite City, IL; great-granddaughters, Rebecca, Brandy, and Rachel Biggs; a sister, Anna Roberts of Chanhassen, MN; brother-in-law, Bill Awl of Fredericksberg, VA; nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Martin of Tours Lutheran Church, Mascoutah, IL; or the Concerned Christians Food Pantry, Mascoutah, IL.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 9 to 10 AM Saturday, May 21, 2016 at St. Martin of Tours Lutheran Church, Mascoutah, IL.