Lowell Richard Steele

LOWELL RICHARD STEELE, 83, died at 8:43 p.m. February 22, 2006, at Springview Manor Nursing Home. He was born December 30, 1922, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Herbert I. and Cario Standiford Steele, who preceded him in death. He married Judith Verhoff, who died July 20, 1982. On April 19, 1986, he married Martha J. McBride, who survives in Lima, Ohio. Mr. Steele retired as a supervisor from Standard Oil Refinery. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church. He was a member of St. Rita's Gold Mercy Club, American Legion Post 516, Columbus Grove, the Lima Refinery Recreation Club and the Standard Oil Quarter Century Club. He was an Army veteran of World War II, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, baseball and traveling. Survivors also include six children, Michael Steele of Aiken, S.Carolina, Barbara Wiswell of Lima, Ohio, Patricia (Michael) Skunda of Columbus, Ohio, Kristina Webb of Sylvania, Ohio, Janis L. (David) Bohyer of South Elgin, Illinois, and John (Joyce) McBride of Machesney Park, Illinois; 12 grandchildren, Lynn (James) Elsberry, Craig Wiswell, Cory (Lori) Wiswell, Matthew Skunda, Andrew Skunda, Emily Webb, Mary Webb, Mark (Erika) Bohyer, Micah (Kari) Bohyer, Daniel (Jennifer) Bohyer, Lori Tibbits and Katlyn McBride; seven great-grandchildren, Nicole Elsberry, James Elsberry, Rebekah Bohyer, Cassidy Bohyer, Jada Bohyer, Cameron Tibbits and Miranda Tibbits; and several close brothers- and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by six siblings, Donald Steele and Paul Steele, Rosiland Holsinger, Wanda Goodwin, Bess Swallow and Charles Standiford; and a son, Kenneth McBride. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Pastors David Bohyer and Matthew Oliver will officiate. Burial will be in Gethsemani Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita's Hospice, 770 W. North St., Lima, OH 45801; Grace Baptist Church; American Legion Post 516; or the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.