Stephen (Steve O'Shea) M. Heefner

Stephen Malcolm Heefner, known to many as “Big Steve”, was born on January 8th, 1938, in Des Moines, Iowa to Stephen Malcolm Heefner Sr. And Ethel Savage Heefner. The third of four children Steve and his siblings, Jean, Patricia, and David were raised in Des Moines, Iowa.  Steve graduated from North High School and studied Journalism at first University of Iowa and then Drake University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Radio Journalism. While at Drake, Steve was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, began his career in Radio and met his wife. 

Steve and Sandra “Sandi” Buckberg Heefner were married on July 2nd, 1960 and welcomed a son, Stephen Malcolm Heefner III, the following May. Steve began his 35 year career with KIOA, the first Rock and Roll station in Iowa. While working at WOKY, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his professional name changed to Steve O’Shea, which he kept the rest of his career. It was a career that spanned over three decades with increasing popularity as he moved his family coast to coast, working his way from small up to major markets. He earned many accolades, including the 1978 Award for Broadcast Excellence, winning #1 Air Personality Morning Show in Medium Market from Billboard. This was the same year the couple welcomed their daughter.  

During the 1960s, Steve and Sandi became very involved in the Jesus revival, ministering on the streets of Haight-Ashbury to the hippies. At this time, both were called into the ministry and it became the focus of the rest of their lives, establishing home-based bible fellowships in multiple locations across the country. While working at WCSB FM in Manhattan in 1971, his ministry was featured in the May 14th issue of Life Magazine.  

Steve is survived by his wife of 64 year, Sandi; daughter Katie Mackay (Marc); grandchildren Kayla Beggs (Jake), Charles Andrew Heefner, Olivia, Delaney, and Avery Mackay; and sister Patricia Jensen (Dwight). He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Jean Lang and David Heefner, and son Stephen Heefner (Cathy).  

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Park View Post Acute Rehabilitation Center for their loving care.  

No services have been arranged at this time. The family will inform everyone if that changes in the future.

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