Malcolm Byron McKean, 84, of Springfield, IL, passed away peacefully in his home in bed on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Springfield. He was born on April 14, 1942, in Moline, IL, the son of Malcolm A. and Virginia (nee Weber) McKean.
Malcolm is survived by his sister Barbara McKean; one aunt; and seven cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Malcolm lived in Moline, IL and LaGrange, IL before settling in Springfield, IL in 1960 where he attended Springfield Junior College. He later attended SIU-Carbondale where he earned a bachelor’s degree in arts in 1965.
Malcolm proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1968 to 1969 in Germany.
He was one of the fortunate people whose vocation and advocation matched. Starting as a very young boy, he was fascinated by all things that ran on rails – steam engines, diesel engines, streetcars, trolly’s, electric buses, over the road buses, and city buses. He worked for Springfield Mass Transit District for over 30 years. You couldn’t take a trip, short or long, with him without stopping at a train station or a local bus garage. He was a member of the Central Electric Railfans Association (CERA) in Chicago and the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL.
Malcolm also loved cruises. He took his first cruise in June of 1983 on Queen Elizabeth 2 and he was hooked. After that he and his sister Barbara took many cruises together. They visited every continent and treasured the unique experience of crossing the Northwest Passage going from Seward, AK to New York City, NY.
Malcolm was an active member of Central Baptist Church in Springfield where he was a member of the Chancel Choir. He was always willing to serve the church when called upon. He was proud to say that he was a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum since attending training for the very first class and gave tours of the library in 2004 and was a volunteer at the museum when it opened in 2005.
Visitation: 9:30 am – 10:30 am, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.
Funeral Service: 10:30 am, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with Rev. Mary Ellen Sharp and Rev. Dr. Reginald Mills officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery where military honor’s will be conducted by the United States Army Burial Detail.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL or to Central Baptist Church.
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