1928
Charles
2015
Charles Steele
May 28, 1928 — December 12, 2015
Charles Richard “Dick” Steele, age 87 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan died with his family gathered around at 2:13 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at his home following an illness.
He was born on May 28, 1928 in Washington, D.C. to Charles Wilson and Ella Marie (Zeiler) Steele. He is remembered as an active, mischievous child, once accidently setting the family garage on fire; and was graduated from Eastern High School in Washington, D.C. He was employed as a technician at Western Electric in Alexandria, Virginia, and in 1968 purchased the Academy Store in Mount Aetna, Maryland. He retired from Western Electric, and continued to operate the store until a second retirement. In 1998 he and his wife moved to Berrien Springs to be near family.
Dick has always been active in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, holding the roles of Head Elder, church leader, and Pathfinder Director. He also completed a mission trip with Maranatha. In Mount Aetna, he was a charter member and Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department. He was a great family-man, enjoying campouts, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch, and any other reason for the family to gather – including his own birthday party. The house would always be full of laughter as “Pop-Pop” had prepared pranks and teases for unsuspecting grandchildren. His sense of humor extended outside of the house, as friends found the need to nickname him as “The Wart”, “Skeeter”, and – more honorably - Chief.
On June 5, 1948 he married the former Marjorie Jean Williams, with whom he celebrated this year the remarkable Sixty-seventh anniversary of their wedding.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Steele and their children, Barbara (& Jack) Barney of Newberry, South Carolina, Dianne (& Barry) Wilson of Berrien Springs, Debbie Mackey (& Mike) Gunn of Muskegon, Michigan, and Jan Steele of Berrien Springs; grandchildren Gavin (& Amanda) Barney, Greg (& Katie) Barney, Shelly Perdue, Rich (& Jen) Mackey, Michele Wilson, Jennifer Steele, Alec Gunn, and Aaron Gunn; great-grandchildren Amanda (& Andy) Benenati, Kayla (& Brian) Shaffer, Rachael Wahl, Liam Mackey, Brynn Mackey, Avery Barney, and Paige Pouyat; great-great-grandchildren Gabriella Peck, Chloe Ferrell, Lillianna Benenati, and Keira Allen; and Dick’s brother, George “Bubby” Steele of Silver Springs, Maryland.
The family remembers Dick as a loving brother who found his own mischief, an awesome grandfather who spoiled his grandkids, a cherished father who worked hard to provide for his daughters, and an ever adoring husband and best friend who “made life like a vacation” for Marjorie. The family of C. Richard Steele will gather privately to thank God for his life, share some memories, and honor him. Burial will be in the Boonsboro (Maryland) Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Richard Steele may be made to the Berrien Springs Oronoko Township Fire Department. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
He was born on May 28, 1928 in Washington, D.C. to Charles Wilson and Ella Marie (Zeiler) Steele. He is remembered as an active, mischievous child, once accidently setting the family garage on fire; and was graduated from Eastern High School in Washington, D.C. He was employed as a technician at Western Electric in Alexandria, Virginia, and in 1968 purchased the Academy Store in Mount Aetna, Maryland. He retired from Western Electric, and continued to operate the store until a second retirement. In 1998 he and his wife moved to Berrien Springs to be near family.
Dick has always been active in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, holding the roles of Head Elder, church leader, and Pathfinder Director. He also completed a mission trip with Maranatha. In Mount Aetna, he was a charter member and Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department. He was a great family-man, enjoying campouts, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch, and any other reason for the family to gather – including his own birthday party. The house would always be full of laughter as “Pop-Pop” had prepared pranks and teases for unsuspecting grandchildren. His sense of humor extended outside of the house, as friends found the need to nickname him as “The Wart”, “Skeeter”, and – more honorably - Chief.
On June 5, 1948 he married the former Marjorie Jean Williams, with whom he celebrated this year the remarkable Sixty-seventh anniversary of their wedding.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Steele and their children, Barbara (& Jack) Barney of Newberry, South Carolina, Dianne (& Barry) Wilson of Berrien Springs, Debbie Mackey (& Mike) Gunn of Muskegon, Michigan, and Jan Steele of Berrien Springs; grandchildren Gavin (& Amanda) Barney, Greg (& Katie) Barney, Shelly Perdue, Rich (& Jen) Mackey, Michele Wilson, Jennifer Steele, Alec Gunn, and Aaron Gunn; great-grandchildren Amanda (& Andy) Benenati, Kayla (& Brian) Shaffer, Rachael Wahl, Liam Mackey, Brynn Mackey, Avery Barney, and Paige Pouyat; great-great-grandchildren Gabriella Peck, Chloe Ferrell, Lillianna Benenati, and Keira Allen; and Dick’s brother, George “Bubby” Steele of Silver Springs, Maryland.
The family remembers Dick as a loving brother who found his own mischief, an awesome grandfather who spoiled his grandkids, a cherished father who worked hard to provide for his daughters, and an ever adoring husband and best friend who “made life like a vacation” for Marjorie. The family of C. Richard Steele will gather privately to thank God for his life, share some memories, and honor him. Burial will be in the Boonsboro (Maryland) Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Richard Steele may be made to the Berrien Springs Oronoko Township Fire Department. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
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