Melvin LeRoy Steele's Obituary
Melvin LeRoy "Chubby" Steele, age 75, of Coulterville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. in Coulterville Care Center, Coulterville, IL. Melvin was born on June 25, 1932 in Phelps County, MO, a son to Wilson M. and Laura E. (Fields) Steele. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean War and obtaining the rank of sergeant. On June 21, 1952, he married Wanda Nash in East St. Louis, IL, and she preceded him in death on October 27, 2003. He had worked at Sears & Roebuck in E. St. Louis, IL for 20 years before he went to work as a coal miner at Zeigler/Old Ben Coal Co. in Sparta, IL where he retired in 1996. He was a Mason member for 26 years, a lifetime member of V.F.W. in Chester, IL, a member of Eagles in Sparta, IL, and U.M.W.A. Local 9905, and loved fishing and dogs. Survivors include his children: Diana (David) Cole of Coulterville, IL, Mark (Emma) Steele of Pinckneyville, IL, Penny (Bobby) Keller of Coulterville, IL, and Richard Steele of Sparta, IL, a sister: Dolores M. Reinikanen of Jacksonville, FL, a brother-in-law: Alvin (Blanche) Nash of Fairview Heights, IL, three grandchildren: Matthew Stewart, Nicole Steele, and Kimberly Schuetz, five step-grandchildren: Michelle (Stephen) Logue, Carlo (Patra) Cole, Valerie Keller, Patrick Keller, and Jody Keller, six step-great-grandchildren: Alyssa and Christian Logue, Elizabeth Cole, Michael Keller, Keagan Cole, and Grant McKinley, three nieces: Linda (Paul) Pennekamp, Brenda (Tray) Pateracki, and Kathie (Marty) Steffens, a nephew: Craig Reinikanen, and many aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a brother: Martin Steele, a granddaughter: Heather Dawn Steele, a sister-in-law: Elenor Steele, and a brother-in-law: Lee Reinikanen. Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, IL on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Eunjoo Lee officiating. Interment will be in Coulterville Cemetery, Coulterville, IL. Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, IL on Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to American Lung Association or Humane Society.
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