William Noel Scheele

William Noel Scheele Obituary

William (Bill) Noel Scheele, 81, from Steele City, NE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury, NE, with family at his side.

He was born on September 9, 1944, to Staff Sgt. William Frederick Scheele and Dorothy (Ahlers) Scheele at the hospital in Steele City, NE. On September 24, 1944, he was baptized at the Trinity Lutheran Church outside of Hanover, KS, where he was also confirmed at 13 years of age.

After Bill’s father was declared Missing In Action during WWII in July 1945, Bill and his mother resided in Hollenberg, KS. In January of 1948, his mother married Leonard Meyer, and, consequently, Bill enjoyed growing up on the Meyer family farm alongside his siblings, Don and Melanie. Bill graduated as valedictorian of his class at Hollenberg High School in 1963. Upon graduation, he was employed at Dempster’s in Beatrice, NE, and shortly after moved on to Roode’s Packing Plant in Fairbury, where he worked for the next 12 years. On August 1, 1964, he was united in marriage to Sharon Arntt. This union was blessed with a son, Curtis, and a daughter, Cheryl. In 1970, the family moved to a farm at Steele City, NE, where Bill engaged in farming, raising row crops and stewarding livestock. In the early 1990’s, Bill began working at one of his favorite jobs - helping Schultis & Son Auction Service, where he was employed for several years. He continued in his farming operations even while caring for Sharon during her battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), remaining by her side until her passing on September 29, 1994. At this time, he transitioned from farming to running the Steele City Post Office, forging friendships and telling stories on the benches out front of the building until November, 2025. While living at Steele City, he served on the Village Board starting in 1996, keeping the water tower full, the streets cleared of snow, and serving as mayor of the village during the controversial time of the Keystone XL pipeline construction.

In 1997, Bill began a special friendship with Barb Witt, whom he enjoyed the company of for the next 18 years, going to the casino, gardening, and spending time with their families. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed watching KU basketball and New York Yankees baseball, as well as spending time with and influencing his kids and grandkids. He loved watching Gunsmoke and very much enjoyed cooking and baking, tinkering with his welder, gardening, going to auctions, and eating at Ricky’s Café in Hanover, KS.

Bill was preceded in death by his fathers, William Frederick Scheele and Leonard Meyer; mother, Dorothy (Ahlers Scheele) Meyer; brother, Don Meyer; wife, Sharon; father-in-law, Herman Arntt; mother-in-law Mildred Arntt; brothers-in-law, LeRoy Lahodny and Gerald Penner; sister-in-law, Judy Arntt; niece, Recia Lahodny; and special friend, Barb Witt.

He is survived by his son, Curtis Scheele (Jodie); daughter, Cheryl Davis (John); grandkids, Trevor (Danielle), Carson, Daylen, and Anika Scheele, Jade Schmit (Justin), Jordan Davis, Taylor Sides (Skyler), and Toni Davis; sister, Melanie Clay (Jerry); sisters-in-law, Lila Penner and Joyce Lahodny; brothers-in-law, Elville Arntt and Melvin Arntt; as well as a host of great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 13th at the Presbyterian Church in Steele City, NE at 1:30 pm. Interment to follow at Steele City Cemetery. Honoring Bill's personal style, jeans and button down or pearl snap shirts are welcome attire for the ceremony. The family will greet friends on Monday evening from 6-8 pm at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home.