Eugene Steely

XENIA — Eugene Emerson Steely, 89, of Dayton, Ohio; formerly of Sebring, Florida and Xenia, Ohio; passed away on October 16, 2016. Gene was born in Whitley County, Kentucky, the son of Charles Edward and Martha Ellen (Walker) Steely. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years Edna (Owens) Steely; his parents; brothers Aubrey, Frank, Virgil, Charles, Gaines and Ray; and sisters Laura Young and June Bugg. He is survived by a son Phillip Steely and daughter-in-law Ann Bridges Steely of Dallas, Texas; a daughter Brenda Matlock and son-in-law Kenneth Matlock of Dayton, Ohio; a granddaughter Qiana Steely of Dayton, Ohio; a brother Don (and wife Betty) Steely of Dayton, Ohio; a sister-in-law Joie Jeanette (and husband Laymon) Mayne of Sebring, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gene served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. He graduated from Union College and had a long career as a public school teacher, retiring from Kettering City Schools. He was a founding and faithful member of Dayton Avenue Baptist Church, Xenia, Ohio, and later a member of the First Baptist Church in Sebring, Florida. He also served with the Greene County Chapter of Gideon's International. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Sebring on Monday, October 24, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation immediately preceding at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Avon Park, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to Gideon's International or a charity of your choosing.