Steve Illar a retired Electrical Engineer from Beltsville, MD died after a short illness. Steve was born in Daisytown, PA on October 25, 1925 to Hungarian immigrant parents, Louis Sr. and Mary Illar. The youngest of four children: Louis Jr, Helen, and Mary. His family later moved to Richeyville, PA.
He served in the U.S Army Air Corps 445th bomb group and flew 19 missions over continental Europe as a B-24 Ball Turret gunner. After the war, he worked at the Corning Glass factory, was a locomotive mechanic for the Pennsylvania Railroad and was a projectionist at the family owned movie theatre. He entered Penn State University under the GI Bill and graduated Eta Kappa Nu with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958. He started his career with the National Security Agency immediately after graduation. He completed his Master’s Degree coursework at the Catholic University in Washington, DC. He retired in 1988 after 30 years of government service.
He was a choir member and treasurer of the Beltsville Presbyterian Church and was currently a member of the Laurel Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Phoenix Society.
He enjoyed gardening, bowling, trips to the beach and attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events.
He played senior softball with the MD Old Liners in the Baltimore Beltway Senior Softball league. He and his wife attended tournaments in Florida, Texas, and Kentucky and was a medal winner in the Senior Olympics.
Although a Penn State Alum, he was a member of the Maryland Terrapin Club and held Maryland Football season tickets since 1982; rarely missing a home game. But his Nittany Lion heart held true as over the years, he and his wife traveled to watch Penn State play in the Fiesta, Sugar, Outback, Alamo, Citrus and Rose Bowls.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Yvonne Illar. He is survived by his children and their spouses; Stephanie and Gary Vessel of Nicholasville, KY and David and Maureen Illar of Ellicott City, MD. His loving grandchildren include Kevin Vessel and his wife (Katie Vessel), Michelle Illar, and Colin Illar. Survivors also include four Nieces and three Nephews and their extended families.
Interment will be at 2:30 PM at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD.
In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to: The Laurel Presbyterian Church 7610 Sandy Spring Road Laurel, MD 20707.
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