STEELE, Melvyn Leon - b. September 24, 1937 - d. May 30, 2021

[patyrn]

Melvyn Leon Steele, age 83, went to be with the Lord on May 30, 2021 in his Yuma, Arizona home surrounded by his family.  He was born in Neodesha, Kansas on September 24, 1937 to Albert Edwin and Lula Grace (Holiday) Steele.

Melvyn was a proud graduate of Neodesha High School Class of 1956.  Though small at 130 pounds, he excelled in football as a pulling guard on offense and as a nose guard on defense.  He was chosen as a senior captain and was chosen on the Class A all-state team.  He played one year of football at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas.

Melvyn married Arlene Rose Dougherty on November 5, 1958.  They then moved to Los Angeles, California and had three of their four children there.  In 1964, Melvyn and Arlene moved back to Haysville, Kansas and later had their fourth child.  Melvyn retired from Boeing where he worked in tooling, and Arlene retired from Ratheon Corporation.

In the early 1990s, Melvyn and Arlene moved to Goodyear, Arizona and later owned a home in the mountains in Show Low, Arizona and spent winters in Yuma, Arizona.  While living in Goodyear at Pebble Creek Retirement Community, they participated in plays and enjoyed playing golf with friends.  They enjoyed square dancing and entertaining family and friends,.  They loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Alaska, Ireland, and Europe. 

Melvyn loved the military and was very proud to wear the uniform for the Army Reserve and the National Guard for over 27 years.  H retired as a Sergeant First Class (E-7) in Wichita, Kansas from the Kansas Army National Guard.  He enjoyed playing guitar and singing country music and jamming with his buddies in his younger years.  He later took up karaoke and painting.

Melvyn is survived by his loving wife, Arlene Rose; his children, Steven Randall (Debbie) Steele of Phoenix, Arizona, Terry Lynn Oberst of Norman, Oklahoma, Kenneth Craig Steele and fiance, Beth of Wichita, Kansas, and Richard Sean (Trish) Steele of Wichita, Kansas; 8 grandchildren, Keaton, Kelsey, Chris, Megan, Ali, Hannah, Craig, and Whitney; 6 great-grandchildren; siblings, Albert Steele of Marion, Kansas, Alberta Jones of Lebo, Kansas; and Ronald Steele of Riverton, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Loren Edwin, Glenna Laverne, Lois Marie, and Sharon Lynn; and grandson, Josh.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas followed by burial in Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard.  Countryside Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

[patyrn]

Melvyn and Arlene Steele went to be with the Lord within 3 weeks of each other.  Melvyn passed away on May 30, 2021 in his Yuma, Arizona home.  Arlene passed away on June 30, 2012 in a hospital in Winslow, Arizona. 

A joint memorial service for Melvyn and Arlene Steele will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 followed by a graveside military ceremony at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas.