Theodore Franklin "Ted" Steele, Jr., 87, Hiawatha, KS
By: Gregory Hurt
Updated: February 12, 2013
Theodore Franklin "Ted" Steele, Jr., 87, of Hiawatha, died Sunday morning, February 10, 2013, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha.
Ted was born at Hiawatha, July 7, 1925, one of three children born to Theodore Franklin Sr. and Ruth Isabelle Close Steele. Ted grew up at Hiawatha where he attended schools prior to being drafted to serve during World War II. He served his country in the Army Air Corps, with the 8th Air Force where he served as a gunner on a B 17 over England before being discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Ted returned to Hiawatha and started working for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1943, first at the Hiawatha Depot, and later served as a mobile agent between St. Joseph, Missouri and Marysville, Kansas, retired in 1985 as an agent telegrapher after 42 years of service.
In his early years, Ted was a devoted Scout Master for many young men, for Troop 111 of Hiawatha. He was a life member of Homer-White Post #66, Hiawatha American Legion where he had served as Scout Master and Commander. He also was a life member of the VFW Post #5210, also of Hiawatha where he had served as Commander. Through the years, Ted was dedicated to assisting with many military honors for many of his friends in the area. He also was a member of BPOE #1741, Hiawatha Elks Lodge.
He married Dorothy Irene Felts while in the service in 1945, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have made Hiawatha home all of their married life. She survives.
Also surviving are a son Robert "Bob" (Dorothy Dale) Steele of Hiawatha; two sisters: Bonnie Prater of Perry, Florida, Shirley Brown of Gladstone, Missouri; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services are planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Shane Spangler will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha, with military honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Tuesday where the family will meet with friends from 6 until 8 that evening.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.
Ted was born at Hiawatha, July 7, 1925, one of three children born to Theodore Franklin Sr. and Ruth Isabelle Close Steele. Ted grew up at Hiawatha where he attended schools prior to being drafted to serve during World War II. He served his country in the Army Air Corps, with the 8th Air Force where he served as a gunner on a B 17 over England before being discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Ted returned to Hiawatha and started working for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1943, first at the Hiawatha Depot, and later served as a mobile agent between St. Joseph, Missouri and Marysville, Kansas, retired in 1985 as an agent telegrapher after 42 years of service.
In his early years, Ted was a devoted Scout Master for many young men, for Troop 111 of Hiawatha. He was a life member of Homer-White Post #66, Hiawatha American Legion where he had served as Scout Master and Commander. He also was a life member of the VFW Post #5210, also of Hiawatha where he had served as Commander. Through the years, Ted was dedicated to assisting with many military honors for many of his friends in the area. He also was a member of BPOE #1741, Hiawatha Elks Lodge.
He married Dorothy Irene Felts while in the service in 1945, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have made Hiawatha home all of their married life. She survives.
Also surviving are a son Robert "Bob" (Dorothy Dale) Steele of Hiawatha; two sisters: Bonnie Prater of Perry, Florida, Shirley Brown of Gladstone, Missouri; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services are planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Shane Spangler will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha, with military honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Tuesday where the family will meet with friends from 6 until 8 that evening.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.
