Jason Wayne Steward, 37, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, born March 24, 1978 in Macomb, Illinois, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015, in the arms of his loving wife, Lauren, and surrounded by his family.

Jason was a Social Studies Teacher and Assistant Varsity Football Coach at Edwardsville High School in charge of running backs. He played football and basketball for Macomb Senior High School and was a recipient of the Mike Cazallet Award, named after a young football coach who also passed away from cancer. Jason was a member of the inaugural renewal football program at McKendree College after a 50 year absence. He was a graduate of McKendree College and received his Master's Degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Eldon Small, and his paternal grandparents, Hazel and Joseph Steward.

Jason is survived by his loving wife, Lauren, nee Seka, Steward, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, formerly of Collinsville, Illinois, whom he married on June 21, 2003; parents, Wayne and Carol, nee Small, Steward of Macomb, Illinois; sister, Jennifer and Steve Kujawa of Lindenhurst, Illinois; grandmother, Mary Small of Macomb, Illinois; loving nephews, Preston Wayne and Troy Eldon; great uncle, Theodore "Pete" Steward of Burnside, Illinois; aunts and uncles, David and Marilyn Steward of Macomb, Illinois, and James and Linda Small of Peoria, Arizona; cousins, Tony, Scott, Matt, Kelly, Jon and Jenn Steward, and Eric, Jennie and Tayla Small. Also surviving are his mother and father in law, Tammy and Jim Seka of Collinsville, Illinois; sister in law, Kristen and Joe Caradonna of Troy, Illinois; loving niece, Kinsey Alixandria; long time dedicated high school friends, Neal Tex, Mike Hupp, Ryan McKinney, Ted Anderson, Brandon Murphy, Eli Lawhorn, Regan Chatteron, Aaron Wilson, and Justin Wright; and many other Edwardsville High School coaches, students and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Edwardsville High School Football Program. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com or www.sunsethillcemetery.com.

Visitation will be 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Sunset Hill Funeral Home in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2015 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon, Illinois.