James Steckel

1943 - 2018

James Steckel

Hanover - James B."Jim" Steckel, Sr., 75, entered into God's eternal care on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at home. He was the loving husband of Elizabeth "Bette" (Stout) Steckel with whom he shared more than 58 years of marriage.

Born January 26, 1943 in Atlanta, GA, he was the son of the late Lt. Col. Chester J. and Jamie (Clarke) Steckel.

Mr. Steckel was a veteran (totally disabled) of the United States Army, serving more than 40 years of service with the retired rank of Command Sergeant Major. Included among his many awards were the Legion of merit, Army Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a graduate of the Army Sergeants Major Academy, Ft. Bliss, TX, First U.S. Army Sniper-Counter Sniper Course, Advanced Senior NCO Infantry and Military Police courses and First U.S. Army Nuclear, Biological and Chemical course among numerous other courses. He was qualified in nine military occupational specialties. He served as the third Command Sergeant Major of the Maryland National Guard from 1979 to 1984.

Jim was a member of the American Legion Post 14, Hanover for 38 years, Friends of Codorus State Park, National Association for Uniformed Services, Lehigh Valley Historical Society, Sergeants Major Association of Maryland, the Commander's Club-Disabled American Veterans and the 29th Infantry Division Association.

In addition to his loving wife Bette, Jim is survived by his children, Angela D. Steckel and Pamela J. Miller of Hanover, James B. Steckel, Jr. and his wife, Angela of Stoverstown; his three brothers, Chester Steckel of Ocala, FL, Charles Steckel of Los Angeles, CA and Lindy Steckel of Bel Air, MD; his grandchildren, Joseph Miller, Ashley Steckel, Alex Steckel, Christopher Steckel, Jerod Miller, Dominic Steckel, Christian Mango, Taylor Mango, Amier Steckel, Cordai Steckel, Ray Varner and Dakota Varner; and his great-grandchildren, Haylee Miller and Mason Steckel. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia J. Steckel.

A service to celebrate the life of Jim Steckel will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at the Wetzel Funeral Home and Crematory, 549 Carlisle St., Hanover, PA 17331. A time to share memories with the family and an opportunity to view will be on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery where full military honors will be provided by the Hanover Allied Veterans Honor Guard.

To share memories of Jim Steckel and view a video tribute, please visit www.wetzelfuneralhome.com.