Van McQueen (90) of Newton

Hubert Van McQueen was born May 3, 1932 on the farm in Coles County, IL. He was the son of Vivian Kittle Callahan and step-father Delbert Callahan. Van has one brother, Orel Callahan of Holland, Michigan. Van met the love of his life, Dorothy Tabb, and they were married October 4, 1952 in a double wedding with their best friends, Lowell and Joanne Wilson. Van worked in the Chicago steel mills and drove a cab as they lived in Hammond, Indiana where they had their 1st child Cynthia Lynn and then later their son, Douglas Van. While attending a local Baptist church, both Van and Dorothy received the ordinance of baptism. Soon after Van began serving at the First Southern Baptist Church, Hammond, Indiana with life long friend and mentor, Walter Davis. It was here Van knew God was calling him full time into the gospel ministry. Van attended Moody Bible Institute until he knew God wanted him to get a Bachelors of Arts degree in Music. He loaded up his family and day one of college was also day one of first grade for daughter Cindy. While attending Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, Van served at Perryville Baptist Church, Perryville, Kentucky. He later served at Porter Memorial Church in Lexington, Kentucky, all while attending Georgetown College full time and working as what he called a “grease monkey” at a service station. Upon graduation Van and family served at Thornhill Baptist Church, Frankfort, Kentucky and FBC West Frankfort, Illinois. This is where he served alongside pastor D.D. Sumrall Jr. whom he would serve together with again after Van first served at FBC Richmond, Kentucky, then serving with Sumrall at FBC Greenville, Texas; Park Heights Baptist Church, San Angelo, Texas and FBC Hurst, Texas. Van was told he would make a fantastic consultant for Cargille Associates of Ft. Worth, Texas. He thought Cargille was a grain company in Illinois. He didn’t realize this move would lead him to years of serving churches raising money in Capital Stewardship campaigns. While serving for Cargille, Van was promoted to Vice-President of the East Coast. Van had become the most successful consultant helping churches raise money that set stewardship records. This led him to start his own stewardship company that he named Church Ministries Unlimited. Van and Dorothy relocated to Louisville, Kentucky and then New Albany, Indiana, It was here that God also led his heart to begin senior pastoral positions, first at Immanuel Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky. His son, Doug, later joined Van working at CMU. This eventually led Van back to Newton, Illinois where it all started. Dorothy had been diagnosed with lung cancer and went to be with the Lord, February 13, 2001. Van continued to serve as pastor at FBC Louisville, Illinois, Watson Baptist Church, Watson, Illinois and then completed his service at Bogota Baptist Church, Bogota, Illinois. During his ministry Van was a first generation Youth minister influencing many students into the full time gospel ministry. He was known for his driving skills, and at almost every church he was able to convince the churches to purchase travel buses for the students to attend youth conferences, choir tours and mission trips across the U.S. Retire? Van never really knew what that word meant. In his later years, Van proudly helped McClane Motors in Newton, Illinois picking up cars, parts or whatever might be needed. This became a second family to him as he loved driving and serving. Van loved his family and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always said, “there is nothing sweeter than the tail lights of your grand/great grandchildren headed home with their parents.” Spoil the grands and then send them on their way home! A few weeks before his death he called and spoke with his entire family speaking to each one individually. Telling them that he loved them and was proud of them. He knew somehow his time was coming to an end on this earth and his forever home was soon to come. Van entered into abundant life on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at his home in Newton, Illinois.

Van will be loved and remembered by his brother Orel Callahan, daughter Cindy McQueen Sylvester and her husband Fred, son Doug McQueen and his wife Debbie, grandson Randall McQueen and his wife Liz, granddaughter Natalie McQueen McDaniel and her husband Brandon. Three great grandchildren Morgan & Micah McQueen and Reese McDaniel. He will be no doubt remembered by all the people that he touched at every juncture of his life.

Funeral services celebrating Van's life will be held at 12 noon Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Crain Funeral Home, Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. Saturday until time of service in the funeral home. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton, Illinois. Memorial gifts in honor of Van may be made to the T&F International. Online condolences may be offered by clicking here.