Deane A. Steele Obituary (1927

Portage - Deane A. Steele, 87, of Portage, formerly of Pardeeville, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg. Deane was born July 24, 1927 in Wyocena, Wisconsin, the son of Roy and Ruth (Shaw) Steele. He attended Wyocena grade school and graduated from Portage High School. He was a proud World War II veteran, serving in the Pacific theatre with the United States Navy. He was united in marriage to Barbara Gene Smith on October 22, 1949 at the Portage United Methodist Church He was a career postal employee, beginning in 1947 as a clerk on the railroad, before taking a job in Pardeeville as a rural mail carrier. He retired from the post office in 1985. In addition, he was also a beekeeper, which he continued to do after his retirement from the Post Office. Deane was a member of the Portage Presbyterian Church. He was a former member of the Pardeeville Presbyterian Church, where he served a number of years as an Elder. He was also a former member of the Pardeeville School Board, the Pardeeville Utilities Commission, and the Angie Williams Cox Library Board. He was a past Commander of the Pardeeville American Legion and a former Boy Scout Troop Leader. Deane was a past Master of the Pardeeville Masonic Lodge, a member of the Portage Elks Club and a charter member of the Pardeeville Curling Club. He was a member of the curling team that won the American Legion national bonspiel in the late 1960's. In retirement, he and Barbara enjoyed traveling. For many years they spent their winters in Arizona, and then in Pharr, Texas. Those friends and memories always held a special place in his heart. Deane was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family, telling stories, and socializing in general. He was interested in family genealogy and was proud to be a descendent of a pioneer Wisconsin family. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers. He spent many summer afternoons with his friends on the golf course. In addition to his wife, Barbara of Portage, he is survived by his five children, Richard (Sarah) Steele of Wisconsin Dells, Dale (Yuri) Steele of Kitakyushu City, Japan, Douglas (Marlene) Steele of Portage, Kay (Kevin) Bernander of Wisconsin Dells and Kent (Kimberley) Steele of Downers Grove, Illinois.; eight grandchildren, Brad, Alec, Arashi, Dale, Aksel, Grant, Zach and Blair; four step grandchildren, Lt. Col. Keith Rapp, Sfc. Kenneth B. Moninski, Kevin Moninski, and Karen Danner; several cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William R. Steele, and a granddaughter, Moei Steele. Funeral services with full military honors will be held Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Pardeeville with Rev. Dave Hankins officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, January 16, 2015 from 4 to 7 PM at Smith Funeral Home in Pardeeville. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until the time of services at the church Saturday. 2d