Stephen M. Steele

Steve was born on January 20, 1960 in Tulsa, OK, to the late Barton C. and Betty (Seawright) Steele. He spent many of his greatest moments in Loveland, CO., where he graduated from Thompson Valley High School in 1979 and was a standout athlete in both wrestling and football. Soon after graduation Steve enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Long Beach, CA., until his honorable discharge. He lived in California and eventually in a home on 20 acres in Littleton, CO. He moved to Gahanna in 2006 with his wife Christine, whom he married on March 31, 2001. Along the way, Steve's interests included Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the Dallas Cowboys and anything John Wayne. He loved his golden retrievers Dusty, and most recently Ambra. He attended Red Rocks Community College and received his basic law enforcement training. He worked for some time as a youth corrections officer retiring in 2006. He was a member of the NRA, American Legion Post #797 and the Aim Hi Family Firearms Center. He was a loving, exuberant and well organized father and husband who dressed smart and cooked well. He was a very proud dad who could be seen and heard cheering, boldly and loudly, for his daughters as they danced at Pinnell Dance Center.

Steve will be missed by his loving wife Christine (Riggs) Steele and children Joshua (Lindsey Barton) Steele, Shannon Steele, Sarah Steele and Adelle Steele; brother Stuart (Stacy McDonald) Steele; sister Torie (Paul Buxbaum) Steele and granddaughters Evangeline and Lily; mother-in-law Darlene Riggs; sister-in-law Mary Riggs; brother-in-law Jon (Cheri) Riggs; nephews Jon-David (Libby) Riggs, Tyler (Stevie) Riggs, Andrew Wyly, Christiana Wyly, JP Buxbaum, Alexandra, Ashley and Eric Steele; and great niece Viola Wyly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Joshua and Shannon's mother, Veronica Digby Allen and father-in-law Joseph Riggs.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 21, 2016 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna from 1-3PM with a service held at 3PM with Celebrant Mark Dettmer officiating. Military honors will be presented at the conclusion of the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gahanna American Legion Post #797. To leave online condolences visit www.schoedinger.com.