Gregory L. “Greg” Van Stechelman, 61, of Davenport, died Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. He passed following a courageous battle with cancer, initially diagnosed in 2020, he had been in remission after five years until recently and fought valiantly until the end.

Funeral services to celebrate Greg’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2026 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the service begins on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida where Greg was originally treated.

Gregory Lee Van Stechelman was born on May 22, 1964, in Moline, a son of James L. and Lorna J. (Bland) Van Stechelman. He was a graduate of Orion High School and participated in 4H and FFA. Greg was a self-taught mechanic with his first car being a 1957 Chevy which he replaced the engine in. He later attended Lincon Technical School in Des Moines to increase his automotive knowledge.

Greg was united in marriage to the love of his life, Pamela Ann (Josephson) on May 30, 1993. Greg’s devotion to Pam, especially when she became ill, was something to marvel at. He truly took his vows to her seriously and was heartbroken when she passed on November 16, 2025.

Greg worked in the oil refinery and environmental industry for 30 years. He started working for Clean Harbors in 2002 and was currently the Senior Manager of Environmental Compliance. Greg was always the fix it man at work and was dedicated to his job. Since Greg was able to work from home, he and Pam escaped the Iowa winters and moved to South Carolina and later settled in Lakewood Ranch, Florida enjoying the warm weather before moving back to the Quad Cities when Pam got sick.

Greg was a remarkably creative and talented man whose gifts touched countless lives. A gifted artist and cartoonist, he viewed the world through a unique lens, combining creativity, humor, and authenticity in a way that made people naturally gravitate toward him. Greg had a special ability to connect with children, always willing to get down to their level, make them laugh, and make them feel important. More than anything, he treasured his granddaughters. He loved and lived for their activities, events, and everyday moments, taking immense pride and joy in being part of their lives.

He enjoyed gardening and landscaping, finding beauty and fulfillment in creating and nurturing things around him. During his time living in Florida, Greg combined his creativity and love of the outdoors by helping design and build a disc golf frisbee course. Musically gifted from a young age, Greg began by playing the clarinet and eventually developed the rare ability to pick up nearly any instrument and play songs entirely by ear. His love of music continued throughout his life, including his active involvement at Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and sang with a singing group in his Del Webb Community.

Greg also had a deep love for the Green Bay Packers and had the opportunity of playing catch as a young boy with Ray Nitschke.

Those left to honor his memory are his step-daughter and son-in-law, Carrie and George Menke; granddaughters, Brooke and Camryn Menke, all of Davenport; parents, Jim and Lorna Van Stechelman, Plainfield, Illinois, sisters and brothers-in-law, Heather (Jason) Lazzara, Elmhurst, Illinois, and Holly (Andy) Matznick, Chandler, Arizona, brother-in-law, Larry Josephson, Webster City, Iowa; nieces and nephews: Olivia and Nate Lazzara and Anna and Abe Matznick as well as his extended Van Stechelman, Taets and Johnson family.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and care team at the Moffit Cancer Center, the University of Iowa Hospitals and the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for the love and care shown to Greg.