Mr. Brian Lee Hastings

Brian Lee Hastings passed from this life on March 16, 2020, in Evanston, Illinois, after a short history of serious health issues. He was born April 13, 1970, in Elwood, to Maricatherine (Cathie Hancock) Hopper and Robert F. Hastings, and graduated from Anderson High School in 1988. He received his teaching degree from Northeastern Illinois University, and was a dedicated special education teacher with Chicago Public Schools. His classroom was always a fun place to learn, and to celebrate victories of all abilities. In recent years, you would find him in “his chair” flipping channels between MSNBC, The Pioneer Woman, anything on The History Channel, and PBS. He was a devout Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks fan. He would often fondly reminisce about good friends, good drinks and good times. His laugh was infectious, and was an epic storyteller of all things Chicago, and in particular, those involving Howard Street. If you ever needed directions, Brian was always your go-to. He had built-in GPS for every L, bus, train, and interstate route, which served him well as a cab driver in the city. An absolute ace in the kitchen, and loved a good herb or flower garden. And of course, always made sure we all voted, and went to Mass. Jameson Whiskey and Miller Brewing companies are obviously impacted by his loss. Thanks to Aretha Franklin, Morrissey, and the countless other musicians who were the soundtrack to every emotion, and moment in his life. He leaves behind his wife, Margaret (Reis) Hastings; children, Morgan (M1), Maeve (M2), Sarah, Hannah, and Jacob. Also surviving are his parents, Maricatherine (Stan) Hopper, and Robert F. Hastings; brothers, Lt. Col. Benjamin (Stephanie) Hopper, P. Michael Hastings, Matthew (Jessica) Hastings, Michael Felts, and Timothy (Amy) Hamilton. Uncle, Paul Hastings and Auntie, Mary (Tom) Miner were among Brian’s most loved; including cousins, Julie Brown, Beth Brown, Keith Hastings, Cheryl Salisbury, Scott Childs, Jeff Hastings, Andrea Haskett, and two beautiful nieces, Olivia Hopper and Anna Hastings. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Otho Lee and Ruth Hancock; paternal grandparents, William Hastings and Mary Alice Hastings Irwin; uncles, David Hastings and Kenneth Hastings; and stepmother, Linda Felts-Hastings. A funeral Mass and celebration of Brian’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at St. Joseph, 1306 S A St, Elwood, IN 46036. Inurnement at East Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m. Friday at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory. Due to COVID 19, guests are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.