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 at www.crainfuneral.com.
