John R. Steele

John R. Steele, age 82, of Schererville, IN, entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 6, 2023. John was born in Stevenson, AL on November 3, 1940, the son of the late Ira and Ellen Steele. A 1959 graduate of Thornton High School in Harvey, IL, John went on to graduate from Chicago Teachers College in 1963 with a degree in education. He taught biology at Bloom Trail High school in Chicago Heights for 27 years and at IVY Tech Gary campus for ten years. During that time, he went on to earn two master degrees - one in education and another in hospital administration. He was a long-time faithful member of Immanuel Bethel United Church of Christ (Dolton, IL) where he taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. John and his wife, Nancy, raised five children in Dolton and later moved to Schererville, IN in 1998. John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He loved all southern food, including his famous chicken and dumplings, which he enjoyed making for family and friends. He and Nancy enjoyed traveling, camping, and boating throughout their lives, spending many weekends at Lake of the Woods in Bremen, IN. John was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by all of his siblings; Bill Steele, June Bean, Mary Ellen Steele, Shirley Willis, and Robert Steele. He is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of 64 years. John and Nancy were high school sweethearts since 1956 and have many love letters to show for it. John is also survived by his five amazing children, Susan (Mike) Becka, Lisa (Bill) Studzinski, Laura (Mike) Polaski, Jennifer (Francisco) Cervantes, and Michael (Stacy) Steele; 15 grandchildren, Michelle (Joey) Piatek, Michael (Bri) Becka, Thomas (Carly) Studzinski, Ellen (Chris) Kemp, Jack (Kait) Studzinski, Josie (Brett) Polaski, Mitch (Mikaela) Polaski, Trevor Polaski, Cole Cervantes, Connor Cervantes, Taylor Steele, Jake Steele, Nick Steele, Jordan Steele, and Avery Steele. He also has four great-grandchildren, Ben, Julia, Ellie, and Daphne. John was extremely proud of the fact that all of his children received college degrees, and he enjoyed following all of his talented grandchildren’s academic and sporting achievements. John was a very hard worker, with many different jobs in his lifetime, with his final job working at Cabela’s being one of his favorites. He was a proud Freemason, Shriner, and member of the Scottish Rite. Visitation will be Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. Funeral Services will be Monday, October 16, 2023 at 1:30 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given toward Shriner's Children's Hospital. The Steele family would like to express their sincere appreciation toward Hartsfield Village and ECHO Hospice of Indiana for the compassionate care they gave to John and his family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Steele family.