Martin Steele

Martin B. “Marty” Steele, 71, of Beardstown, quietly passed onto his next journey on January 5, 2016 at Heritage Health in Beardstown. His life here on earth began on October 12, 1944. He was the last born child of Norman “Mickey” and Maryland Wynne Steele.
He had many loved ones that had passed before him; his parents, Mickey and Maryland, his brother Norman Steele, a sister Marsha Hendrix, two nephews Michael and Timothy Steele, and a great niece Aimee Trone.
Marty leaves behind a surviving brother John A. (wife Dixie) Steele of Springfield and a sister Marianne Trone of Beardstown. Although Marty never had children of his own, he leaves behind a brood of nephews and nieces who will miss him dearly. We may have called him “Uncle Marty” but he was much more than that. He has several great nieces and nephews, and great-great ones as well.
He was a 1962 graduate of Beardstown High School. Marty was in the United States Air Force from 1963-1967 and worked as a Jet Engine Mechanic. When he returned home from the Air Force, he went to work for Bohn Heat Transfer. He worked there in different positions throughout the twenty-one years he was there. The plant closed and he worked as a “DJ” and bartender for a while. He worked as a security guard for Cargil Pork Plant for several years until he had to leave due to illness. Throughout Marty’s life he was very active in the community. He was a charter member, and a Past President, of Beardstown Lions Club, a member of Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, where he also was Elk of the Year. In the mid 1970’s, Marty was a manager of Boys Little League Baseball, an umpire, and President of girls softball league. But more than anything, Marty was blessed with the good fortune of having great friends that lasted a lifetime. He had favorite bar stools at the local watering holes. His friends were also his family.
Graveside Memorial Services will be held at 2 PM Saturday, January 9, 2016 at St. Alexius Catholic Cemetery in Beardstown with Father Tom Meyer officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post #1239.The family will meet with friends from 10-11:30 AM Saturday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown and then friends are welcome to join the family for a meal at Beardstown Elks Club at noon.

Memorials have been suggested to Beardstown Elks Scholarship Fund.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.