Marion R. Steele

HERKIMER – Marion R. Steele, passed away on October 22, 2023, at the Foltsbrook Center, Herkimer at the age of 91.
She was a resident of East Herkimer but had been in the Folksbrook Center since 2013. Born in Corning, NY on May 7, 1932, she was the daughter of the late August and Marion (Cruxton) Reinheimer. She graduated from Corning Northside HS in 1950 and from the New York State College for Teachers at Albany (now the University at Albany) in 1954. In college she met her future husband, Edgar. They were married in 1954,at the Christ Episcopal Church in Corning, beginning a marriage lasting 69 years.
She taught in Troy City School from 1954 – 55, while Edgar finished college. They moved to Dryden in August 1955 living there until 1969, when they moved to Herkimer. In 1969 she earned her first master's degree at SUNY Cortland in French Literature. In the early 1970's she taught French at Herkimer County Community College, while it was till located in the Ilion factory buildings. She then finished raising her four sons and earned her second master's degree in English. For many years she was active in Literacy Volunteers for America, both as a tutor and trainer of other tutors. She served on the Utica-Mohawk Valley Board of Directors of LVA and attended many national conventions. Through the LVA she especially tutored foreign students, who were learning English as a second language. In the mid 1980's she returned to HCCC, developing their Learning Center (now the Academic Support Center) serving as its first Director. After leaving HCCC in 1989, she returned to teaching ESL and English at the Russian Monasteryin Jordanville, NY for many years.
Surviving are her husband Edgar and four sons, Douglas (Lisa) of North Greenbush, David (Lorraine) of Gansevoort, Jon (Tina) of North Greenbush and Jeffrey of Herkimer. She also leaves five granddaughters, Rachel, Carolyn, Sarah, Jennifer,and Grace, two step-grandchildren, Derel (Ashleigh) and Melissa (Matt) and three step-great-grandchildren, Harper, Aiden and Lucas, a brother Richard (Ella Ann) Reinheimer of Tecumseh, KS, several nieces, and nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by a brother Theodore.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc, 115 Court Street, Herkimer. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 12:30 until the time of the service.
Memorial donation may be made to MOVAC, 15 State Rte. 5-S, Mohawk, NY 13407, or the Alzheimer's Association of CNY, 5015 Campuswood Drive, Suite 102, East Syracuse, NY 13057
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the 3rdfloor staff of Folksbrook Center for the compassionate care given to Marion over the last 10 years.