Michael Frederick McCaw, age 60, of Fairview Heights, Ill., born May 7, 1963 in Manila, Philippines, passed away June 16, 2023.

"Mac," as he was known to friends, grew up in the Philippines until age 7, then moved to California with his family.

As a young man, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1983 and served 24 years, retiring as Master Sergeant in 2007 from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. MSgt. McCaw served in a variety of command and leadership positions, but his most memorable assignments were serving as a Flying Crew Chief in support of the C-130 Hercules. He was a decorated veteran of the Gulf War, Bosnian War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device with two oak leaf clusters, and numerous other medals. He also earned the US Air Force Master Maintenance Badge.

He was employed by the Department of Defense as a government civilian for the US Transportation Command where he assisted in the management, coordination, and transportation assets that allow the nation to sustain forces.

Mac also coached baseball, softball, and football for many years throughout his adult life. From Texas, to Japan, California and in Illinois, he was a natural mentor and great coach for youth programs and high school athletes.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Rachel, nee Trinidad, McCaw, Jr.

Surviving are his wife, Shirley Faye, nee Gaugh, McCaw of Fairview Heights, Ill., son Justinn Mitchell (Nicole) McCaw & their children Rylee and Reece of Fort Bragg, N.C., daughter Sable Berlin (Thomas) Liu & their children Kaydence and Kameron of Puyallup, Wash., and his sisters Rozzel (Felix) Gutierrez, Rachel (Perry) Lunt, Madelaine (Vince) Gallegos, and Josephine (Tony) Reed.

Online condolences may be shared at www.wfh-ofallon.com. Memorial donations are suggested to Wounded Warrior or Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Visitation: 5-8 pm, Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: 10 am, Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, with Rev. Paul Wienhoff officiating. Military honors will follow.