Diane Lee Steele

Diane Lee Steele, formerly of Centerville, Iowa; Suffolk, Virginia and Manhattan, Kansas passed away on Sunday, October 12th, 2025 from ovarian cancer.
Diane was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her spouse Dr. James L. Steele (Jim), her parents Boyd Sumpter and Pauline Huffman Sumpter and twin brother Donald Sumpter.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Kimberly K. Tucker and husband James S. Tucker, Jr. of Greeneville, Tennessee and Heather D. Holborn and husband Melvin Ty Holborn of Manhattan, Kansas; two grandsons Joshua A. Tucker and Peyton S. Holborn. She is also survived by two sisters Cheryl Scieszinski and husband Eddie Scieszinski of Albia, Iowa and Joyce Tullius and husband John Tullius of Upland, California; two brothers Mark Sumpter of Apple Valley, California and Douglas Sumpter and wife Janet Sumpter of Artesia, California.
Diane grew up in Centerville, Iowa in Appanoose County. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1957. After high school she moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she worked for Northwestern Belle Telephone Company. On August 23, 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, and they moved to Ames, Iowa where her husband, Jim was finishing his undergraduate degree at Iowa State University, and they began their lives together. They were married for 58 years before his death.
In 1967 her husband's career took them to Suffolk, Virginia where they lived for 20 years. Diane was a stay-at-home mom, wife and had an in-home daycare business. At one point she also worked at The Suffolk Presbyterian Church as a secretary. When she wasn't taking care of her family, children or home, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, cross stitching, needle point and bargello. She enjoyed them so much she became a member of the neighborhood ladies Sewing Bee. She also worked part-time at her best friend's needlework shop. While in Virgina, Diane would travel with her family and friends. They would jump in the RV and go camping on weekends, travel all over the United States and take trips to the beach at the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
From there, in 1988 her husband's career once again required a move that took them back to the mid-west to Manhattan, Kansas. She continued her work as a stay-at-home mom and wife and continued the daycare business at home. She loved animals and over the years she had many four-legged fur babies. Her current fur babies are Pickles, her Yorkie and Carmel the kitty. They will be lost without her.
Diane was a loving, strong, supportive and stubborn mother and grandmother. She knew exactly what she wanted, and how she wanted things done. She loved her family and friends with all her heart. She will be missed by many, especially her two grandsons; with whom she enjoyed spending time.
Diane will be buried in Centerville, Iowa at the Sharon Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa on Monday, October 20th, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa on October 21st, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sharon Chapel Cemetery.
Condolences can be sent to the family at Thomas Funeral Home, 501 N. 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544 or online at www.thomasfh.com. In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance can be made to The American Cancer Society and the Sharon Chapel Cemetery Association Fund; send to Thomas Funeral Home, 501 N. 18 Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544, attention Steele Family.