Stephen Michael Brite died suddenly after a valiant struggle with Parkinson's on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the age of 79. A Springfield native, he was the son of Forrest and Wylma (Tiller) Brite.  He attended Parkview High School where he led the marching band as drum major and it was there he met his wife, Linda. After graduation in1964 he served in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman on the USS Sierra during the Vietnam war. When returning home, he attended SMS (MSU) where he received a Bachelors in Secondary Education and a Masters of Fine Arts.  Steve was part of the SMS Tent theater with a minor in set design. He was very proud of being an art educator at Hillcrest High School for 30 years.  After retiring he volunteered at the Rare Breed and Greene County public libraries. He will be remembered for his infectious smile.  He enjoyed playing bridge, the opera, reading, golfing, drinking Coke, and his many lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Forrest and Wylma Brite, grandparents Lon and Lillian (Akers) Brite, Douglas and Myrtle (Chandler)Tiller, and his in-laws, Joseph and Gloria Paganini.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Linda Paganini Brite; sister Jennifer Maupin (Patrick); brother Chuck Brite (Lani); nephews Tony Brite (Amanda), Chris Brite, and Sean Brite (Kate); aunt Glenda (Tiller) Draheim; great nephew Micah Brite; great niece Lyla Skye Brite; cousins Brent Tiller (Judy) and Mark Tiller (Angie).

A graveside service will be held at 3:30 PM on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Maple Park Cemetery under the direction of Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home.

Steve was known for his kind and generous heart.  He was honored by the Foundation for Public Schools with the Advocate for Education Award. He would have so appreciated in lieu of flowers, donations made to any of his endowments, the Springfield Public Schools Brite Fund for Visual and Performing Arts, the Brite SPS Fund for WINGS at Phelps Center for Gifted Education or the Brite Fund for the Springfield Symphony.