Gene E. Steele

Gene E. Steele, age 76, of Wadsworth, Ohio passed away October 5, 2022.
Gene was born on April 20, 1946 in Dayton, Ohio to the late Evelyn (Pfeifer) & James Steele. He is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, James Steele & Duke Carson.
Gene will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Cheryl, of 55 years. He was so proud of his two sons, Randy & Gene Steele, and he adored his grandchildren, Cassandra, Christian, and Ethan Steele. Gene also thought very highly of Trisha LoGuidice and his newly adopted granddaughter, Rebecca LoGuidice.
Gene also leaves behind his sisters, Phyllis (Dan) Murray and Betsy Jewell; brother, Pastor Richard (Sharon) Steele; sister-in-law, Sue Lyons; brothers-in-law, John (Sun Bun) Bailey and Tom (Kyong) Bailey. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and who loved him. One nephew said about his Uncle Gene, "I just love that guy!"
Gene went to Brunswick high school and left at age 17 to join the US Army during the Vietnam conflict. He served in Alaska as a heavy truck mechanic and in Thailand as a tank-truck driver. After his military service, Gene built tires at Goodyear for 10 years and earned his GED. He worked as a numerical control machinist at Goodyear Aerospace until it was split up and sold many times.
Gene was a dedicated union man who served as President of UAW 856 Amalgamated Union for 9 years, representing Megitt (for which he was employed), Lockheed Martin, and Merryweather Foam. He was a hardworking man who loved the Lord and his family first; but he also strongly believed in unionism and the ongoing fight to protect worker's rights. He never wavered from spreading that philosophy and encouraged and influenced many others to stand together for workers' rights.
Gene loved the outdoors and nature. He loved riding his bike, driving his Ford truck, walking in parks, gardening, his backyard feeding and watching the birds, fixing things, and a hot cup of coffee.
Gene was also an avid reader of the daily Akron Beacon Journal and the Bible. He was a very social, charismatic and informed man who made friends everywhere. Though he faced many adversities in his life, in his final days he said he had lived a full and happy life. When Gene's granddaughter appeared distraught at his failing health, Gene said, "The Earth is just a dot compared to Heaven!"
Funeral services will be held, Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00am at Cox- McNulty Funeral Home, 1376 High Street, Wadsworth. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:00-11:00am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at River Styx Cemetery, Wadsworth.
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