John D. Steele

Services to celebrate the life of John Delbert Steele will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, December 5 at the Monument Bible Church in Scottsbluff for local family and friends of John, his wife Linda, his son Kent (Sherry) Steele, granddaughter Madison and step grandchildren Derek and Tiffany Benoist. A second Celebration of Life will be held at New Life Assembly Church in Kearney, NE on January 8, 2011 at 10:00 AM. The family requests that bright colors be worn at the celebrations as John really liked bright red, blue, and yellow. John will be remembered for his integrity, faith as the fruit of his spirit, his personal discipline, his love and devotion to his family, his kindness to all, and most of all his smile. John was diagnosed with Mesothelioma August 2009. He was born in Douglas County, Kansas to Delbert and Margaret Steele. While attending Lawrence High School he played the clarinet in the marching band and was the FFA Star Chapter Farmer in his graduating year of 1960. He attended college at Colorado State University, Kansas State University and Kansas University. John farmed with his dad until it was determined there was no future on the family farm in Douglas County as it was to become a part of the Clinton Reservoir. He worked at the Farmland Industries Fertilizer Plant and FMC Corporation before again joining his father to farm at Parsons in Labette County, Kansas. He was a Board member of the Kansas Wheat commission, Kansas Corn Board, and Kansas Corn Growers Association. He also distributed Bo-Jac Corn in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado with his father. John and Linda and their sons relocated to Kearney in 1980 to be more central to the seed dealers. John felt this would give him more time with his boys. He enjoyed working with his wife while farming at Parsons, and she joined him in the seed business also where Bo-Jac Corn selected them for the highest recognition in the company. John was in demand with the weigh wagon as all knew his values. He was not a sales person; he was a service person with a sincere interest in doing the best for corn farmers. While in Kearney, John was active at New Life Assembly Church as an elder where he taught adult classes, started a Men's Fellowship Breakfast, and lead small group Bible studies. He and Linda also became active in the Kearney Marriage Encounter as they considered good Marriages important to family life.. He and Linda moved to Sedona, AZ in 1994 where they owned and operated A Territorial House B&B and Boots and Saddles B&B. In this new career, he set an unprecedented standard for guest service which was recognized by all who experienced their inns and many who heard of him through guest comments and in the media. He was recognized as a valued Chamber of Commerce member and volunteer at the visitor center. After selling their B&Bs, Linda and John returned to Scottsbluff in 2003 to be nearer their son and family. John worked as an Inn-Sitter and for Ashley Furniture until semi retirement when enjoyed assisting his son, Kent, with Sonshine Ventures Construction and Remodeling Co. Two things formed the foundation of John Steele's life - being with his family in work and play situations.....and living with unwavering faith in God. John was an avid fisherman and golfer. He said he was not a par golfer but was a par fisherman. He enjoyed all of nature to the fullest. John was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Margaret (Pugh) Steele and his son, Gregory Wayne Steele. He leaves behind his wife, Linda; son Kent (Sherry) Steele, Gering, NE, granddaughter Madison, step-grandchildren Tiffany and Derek Benoist, his sister Becky (Steve) Karnes, Wamego, KS and his brother David (Carolyn) Steele, Parsons, KS. He enjoyed a long time relationship with Linda's brothers Marty (Pat) Hoover, Lawrence, KS, Ron (Linda) Hoover, Wabash, IN, and sister Carol (Roger) Redenbaugh, Sedona, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family requests memorials to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation or to American Cancer Research for a cure. John will be remembered as... If John was to write his own eulogy.. If he was to say I want to be remembered as...I believe he would have little to say as he was such a humble man. He would probably speak of the people who had influence on his life, his parents, Pastor Bob Wine, friends in Parsons, at New Life Assembly, and many others. He might preach a little about the need for discipline in all areas including living your faith and values, eating, exercising and loyalty to those owed. What would he like to be remembered as?? First of all a faithful devoted Christian loyal to his beliefs and values, a gentle , loving husband, father, and grandfather. Linda (Hoover), wife, John was always smiling, even at home!! Have I had my kiss today. I think of John as my let me help you do that, let's go see....., and let's take the kids to..... husband.. He was the gentle, caring, head of our home and it must be carried on. He loved fishing whether they were biting or not. He enjoyed running and playing with his granddaughter. The one thing he wanted to do this last year was golf Torey Pines with son, Kent, and he did. He was pleased and proud of his grandchildren and would have wanted to share in their later lives and achievements.. Greg (11/17/64-2/7/81) would have remembered his dad as the one to teach a son many necessary things like tractor driving, car maintenance, and shop cleaning as well as the things he himself wanted to do as a kid with his own dad. He taught me to how to care for and handle a gun and to hunt ducks on our pond, to fish for catfish as well as bass and crappie. I remember him as my cheerleader at my baseball, football (when I was hurt), and basketball games, and school and church programs. I remember him as a proud father. Greg's best friend Kevin Seibert, Parsons, KS, I remember John as teaching Greg and me things all the time. He was a teacher of life's lessons. He always had that warm caring smile. John always treated everyone like a good friend never like a stranger. Kent remembers his dad as a man of integrity, respected by his customers and competitors in the seed industry. I remember him as a hard worker providing for his family, always showing love to them. He was a godly man and an inspiration to me. Every day I try to become more like him. Maddie, granddaughter says to her dad, Kent, You left out AWESOME! Brother, David: remembers him as a good brother, Christian, and a dependable leader even in childhood in Douglas County, KS when the pranks included gas on a calf's tail and a small fire. Sister, Becky, Karnes: remembers him first as her brother. He was always smiling and upbeat. He was the one I got the disciplinary words from as a teen. I would think St John!!! Brother-in-law Marty: John was always there when I was growing up. Teaching me how to water ski, duck hunting with him on the farm ponds, helping me out with my cars, Jalopy racing, Christmas dinners with the family, Always there, never complaining, always glad to see me. He thought of people first.. Cousin, Joyce: The small acts of kindnesses; Giving me his cell phone number for my drive home to AZ with my daughter , Michelle, from the Estes Park CO. Reunion. PLUS, I will always be grateful for his attendance to my sister's funeral in St. Louis, MO. in 1977. RWMC nurse, Tiffany: his nurse for many years, remembers him as the most respectable, friendly, and caring. Regardless of how he felt he put a smile on your face Friend, Denny Russell: I remember John a true friend with a love of God and the ability to pass it on to all and seal it with his special smile. Friend, Rick Clark: When I think of an example of solid as a rock Christian man it was always John. He would never waver. When he got sugar diabetes his faith never changed. When he got cancer his faith ever changed. If there was someone that I would want to pray for me for a healing it was John. What a rock Friend, David Baugher: One of the most caring and kind men I ever met. No matter who he met he was always kind. Always a smile and always thought about other people. His deep faith and he lived it. The fruit of the spirit was of his faith. If He and Linda had not started the home Bible study there are so many whose lives would not have been changed including ours. As a farmer he was innovative. He was the one who introduced more herbicides to us for crop protection. He was a good friend I will miss his Smile. Pastor Bob Wine, New Life Assembly: John was a friend who could help me see my blind areas and was able to challenge me. He along with Linda helped me to see that fellowship included fun. We have many fond memories. At the top of the list being the snow skiing and fishing in MN and at Johnson lake with the elders. Pastor, friend, Roger Wendt: The first thing that comes to my mind will always be his big wonderful smile. A smile he wore regardless if he could hear what was being said or if he was just pretending that he could hear it. In fact I think it got bigger when he didn't have a clue what anyone was saying but we thought he could. I think sometimes he got a kick out of watching people talk and thinking you guys don't have a clue. I will remember the trip that he and I took to Cincinnati in the late 80's or early 90's for a Church growth conference. We had a great time at the conference. But I remember when we landed we saw a golf course that John said just had to be played before we came home or it would be a sin. Obviously I agreed, and we somehow worked it into our schedule to play nine before the flight departed. I will always remember watching and playing golf with you two at Prairie Hills. Even if we were on a different hole we knew John and Linda were on the course because we could here Linda's laugh and then imagine that big smile on Johns face. There are many memories, too many to share, but I want to share one last one. I remember that John had many loves but most of all was his love for Jesus, I am quite sure he tried to base all of decisions around that love relationship with his God. This world lost a great husband, father, friend, but heaven gained a very special saint. Thanks John for being my friend. Friend, Nancy: My friendship with John has always been with you as a couple. I remember sitting behind the two of you in church and his arm around your shoulder, and I would find myself wishing for the kind of relationship you had with one another. I can't recount the number of times that you and John were there for me and Chad over the years. Whether it was inviting us into your home, giving me a break from Chad, or hauling us across the country - you and John were always there offering me your help and encouragement. Even now when I'm over 1200 miles away, you both still reach out and love my family. There is a saying, What would Jesus do?, and I think you could just as easily ask, What would John do? ""Just call me and Linda and I will come and load you up and bring you back. My face breaks out in a smile every time I think of that! I know without a doubt that when it is my time to leave this earthly home, that John will be there with the chariot to pick me up! Friends, Jim & Meredith Latty, ""What we remember about John was the Thanksgiving Day he and 2 buddies broke into the local plumbing store in Sedona and got the water heater he had ordered. The store was not open because it was the holiday, but John, Jim and Larry ""found"" a way to get in so they could install the water heater before coming guests arrived at the Territorial House."" John was a true friend and we loved him dearly. CPA & Friend, Jim Votaw: The smile on John's face in the picture is a reflection of the happiness, peace, love of Jesus and fellow man which he allowed to shine as a beacon to others. In the 29 years I knew John he always seemed to have a close consistent relationship with the Lord and cared enough to take the time to share it with all. I prepared John's income taxes for a lot of years. I don't remember him ever complaining about the taxes he had to pay. The comments I do recall were that he was thankful to have earned the money which resulted in the tax. John was always thankful for what the Lord provided and years ago told me he saw death as God's perfect healing. Friend, Carolyn Carlyle: John's smile made you want to know him, it was such a reflection of his heart. Also he made the best cornbread muffins ever! Linda's childhood friend, Dar Vaughn: I remember how John's eyes would light up when he smiled. Linda's childhood friend, Mar Vaughn: I will always remember the time I visited the two of you when you were pregnant and John told us to take the bed so we could visit We talked almost the entire night. Linda's sister, Carol; I have so many precious memories, but first I think of his prayers. I always enjoyed his meal prayers that took into consideration the pertinent events of the day. The lone exception was his last dinner prayer in Nebraska the evening all of us siblings of Linda arrived for Thanksgiving. That prayer might have mentioned his journey, but it did not; characteristically, he did not think of himself. The most vivid prayer in my memory was when I was deeply troubled by events beyond my control. John called, and he prayed with me, and I found peace. I will miss John so very much, and it saddens me that I will never again hear him pray. Linda's brother-in-law, Roger; What I remember most about John was his smile. Whether it was work or play, it was always there, and it was always sincere. I will always have fond memories of our time together going to the movies. I miss John. Friend, Dale; What a wonderful man of God! My first thought of John is his winning smile and John's (God's ) gentleness. However I always saw God's Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control abiding in John. I will never forget how John impacted me with his transparency. I had not seen him for a few weeks, not even at church. He was on my heart at times in those weeks and I even had thoughts of giving him a call to see how things were going. For whatever reason, I didn't follow through. Then one Sunday morning I got out of my car at the church and saw John getting out of his. I was really happy to see him and started walking over to greet him. When I got to him and told him how much I had missed seeing him...there was a quiet pause, moments that seemed much longer. As I looked in Johns eyes I saw a man with a broken heart and I will never forget his moment of transparency when he said, ""Then why didn't you call?"" The Lord used that in my life to help me be more sensitive to that small still voice that says, ""Someone is hurting today, give them a call and encourage them."" Friend, Dale's wife, Marla; I met John shortly before what I imagine was the darkest of time in his life. The death of Greg his 16 year old son. I will always remember the deep grief but in spite of the gut wrenching pain his faith in God burned brightly and with intensity. That was when I saw the true measure of John as a man, a husband, a father, and a true discipler of Jesus. He shared with the families of the other boys that Jesus is the only hope of eternal life and the comfort for the greatest losses in life. I respected John for his Christ-like character.