James Merle "Curly" Steele

Riffe, Wash.

After graduating from Mossyrock High School, Curly entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 10, 1941. He served with the 143rd Field Artillery in the Asiatic and Paciic, served with the 787th Field Artillery in the European Theatre, and was the spearhead of the Ninth Army. He was honorably discharged November 4, 1945.

On September 11, 1947, Curly married Jessie Mildred Rogers in Centralia, Wash.

Curly is survived by three daughters, Greta Jean Sweeney of Rochester, Carolyn (Harold) Graham of Chehalis and Rita

(Ross) McDowell of Chehalis; nine grandchildren; 19 greatgrandchildren; and 2 great great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Jessie Mildred; parents, Etta Willliamson and Melvin Steele; and four brothers,Thurman, Robert, Gordon and Raymond.

Curly was a retired heavy equipment operator working for Weyerhaeuser, Harbor Plywood and Kosmos Timber, retiring from Hemphill-O’Neil in Chehalis. He also owned and operated a Grade-A Dairy in the

Vader area for 12 years.

Curly was active in many groups and many roles such as member of VFW Post

#7010, Ryderwood; member of American Legion Post #101, Winlock; Past Master of Little Falls Lodge #176 F.A.&M., Vader; Life and 50 year member of Chehalis Lodge #28 F.A.&M., Chehalis; Life Member of Royal Arch Masons Sunset Chapter #23, Chehalis; Life Member of Alpha Council, Royal and Select

Masters #20; Life member of St. Helens Commandery #12, Chehalis; Member of Aii Temple A.A.O.M.S. Tacoma; Past President of Lewis Country Shrine Club; Past Patron and 50 year member of Centralia

O.E.S. #14; Past Patron of Maple Chapter #214, Castle Rock; Member of Forest Grange #1553, Chehalis; Member Aerie #1550, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Chehalis; Past Rainbow Dad of Toledo Assembly of Rainbow for Girls. He also served 10 years on the Vader School Board.

A visitation for James Merle Steele will be held from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at Sticklin Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 at Sticklin Funeral

Chapel followed by a graveside service at Claquato Cemetery.

A reception will follow at the Masonic Temple in Chehalis.