Stephen Michael "Steve" Bira

November 12, 1931 – January 13, 2023

Stephen (Steve) Bira has gone to realize the sacred promise of Jesus Christ, and now lives in His light, with God our Father and the angels. Steve was a graduate of McBride High School (Class of 1949), and earned his Bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University (Class of 1958).  Steve was an active leader in St Rita's Parish for many years, where he settled with his wife Virginia (Ginny) Bira to raise their four children, Mike, Pat, Julie, and Bob. He was the Collector for the City of Vinita Park for many years, and the number one supporter/counselor of the city's mayor, who happened to be his amazing wife, Ginny. Steve was a career accountant, worked for several companies over his life, and loved to work with numbers. Not only did he enjoy doing taxes for many people, he also impressed everyone with his ability to accurately estimate the exact number of charcoals needed to cook any of his meals, done to perfection on his treasured Weber grill. Steve had a life of huge love and dedicated service to the Lord, and his lessons and examples of living continue to guide his family and all who knew him.

Steve is preceded in death by his wife Ginny, his parents, Robert and Catharine Bira, and his sister Loretto. He is survived by his sisters Catharine Diekemper (nee Bira) and Rose Mary (Sister Loretto Rose Bira), his children Michael (Kristi) Bira, Patrick (Ann) Bira, Julie VanBooven, and Robert (Laura) Bira, his grandchildren Lindsay Bira, Lauren Bira, Emily (Franco) Basarabescu, Claire (Chris) Forrest, Benjamin (Kim) Bira, Nicholas Bira, Natalie VanBooven, Kenneth VanBooven, Nathan Bira, and Abigail Bira, great granddaughters Maria and Sophia Basarabescu and Brooke Bira.

Visitation at the Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, MO on Thursday, January 19 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church, 15 Forest Knoll Dr., Fenton, MO on Friday, January 20 at 10 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home   www.osfuneralhomes.com