David Victor Steele (75) of Beecher City

David Victor Steele, 75, of Beecher City, Illinois passed away at home Sunday, July 9, 2023, surrounded by family.

Dave was born January 20, 1948, to Verl and Wanda (Jones) Steele. He graduated, class of 1966, from Beecher City High School. He later married his best friend and love of his life, Diane Lovelace on September 12, 1992. Dave worked for World Color Press in Effingham and in Merced, California for twenty years. After moving back to Illinois, he drove a semi for 30 years before retiring in 2022. He also was very proud to have helped construct the Shelbyville Dam in the late 60’s. Dave’s love for family and friends was evident in everything he did. He knew no strangers, making new friends everywhere he went. When he was home you could find him working in the yard or doing a little woodworking in his shop. He loved being outside, especially in the woods exploring with his grandchildren. Whether it was multiple trips to the creek or building a fire in 100-degree temperature, there was nothing this papa would not do for them. He missed no opportunity to say I love you. He enjoyed sitting on his back porch with a glass of sweet tea shooting the bull with all who stopped by. If you drove past, you could always see his great big wave. When he was not at home, he was stopping by to visit family and friends. He was always the first to arrive and last to leave, never missing a moment with those he loved. There was nothing he would not do to help someone.

He will forever be loved and missed by his loving wife of 35 years, Diane; son, Darren Steele (special friend Tammy Molenhour) of Salem; daughters: Stacy (wife, Cindy) Booher-Steele of St. Elmo, Lynn Steele of Altamont, and Angela (husband Shane) Byers of Mason; grandchildren: Jessica Steele, Chelsie (Daniel) Green, all of Salem, Shania, Cheyenne, KayeAnn and America Patton, and Kiana Griggs, all of Altamont, Dalton (Polly) Steele of Oceanside, California, Olivia and Josie Byers of Mason; great-grandchildren: Graci, Gabe, Gretta, Damon, Dante, Bonnie, Mikynn, Aerington, Phoenix, Pearl and Harper; brothers: Roger (Barb) and Dennis (Carol) Steele, all of Beecher City; sisters-in-law: Delene (Mark) Meidlinger, Doris (Steve) Black, and Donna (Pat) Brunmeier; brother-in-law, Dan Lovelace; eight nephews; four nieces, and countless friends.

While we are saddened by his passing, we take comfort in knowing he was welcomed home by those who passed before him. Those include his parents, Verl and Wanda; brother, Robert (Emmy) Steele, and grandson, Justice Levi Steele.

A memorial gathering will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2023, in the Altamont VFW Post 7676, 302 W. Cumberland Rd, Altamont, IL 62411. In lieu of flowers, memorials in David’s name may be made to Lincolnland Hospice of Sarah Bush Lincoln or the SBL Regional Cancer Center. Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City is assisting the family.

Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story by clicking here.