James Russell Steele

Russ was born in Antioch, IL on October 25, 1920, the son of James and Anna Cornell Steele. He married Norma Bertram June 14, 1947 in Shullsburg, WI. She preceded him in death.

He is survived by his two daughters, Julie (Brent) Anderson of Bloomington, and Jan Larsen of Joliet, IL; one daughter-in-law, Patricia Steele of Stoughton, WI; four grandchildren, Brent James (Anne) Anderson of Kenmore, WA, Jesse (Jennie) Anderson of Palos Hills, IL, Laurel (Colin) Erskine of Madison, WI, and Meredith (Dan) Heibel, of Madison, WI; and four great-grandchildren.

Russ was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harlan and Raymond; and one son, James Steele.

He was an ISU faculty and staff member for 34 years, 1948-1981. Russ was the first Sports Information Director at ISU. He was Editor and assistant director, Alumni Services, ISU 1975-1981.

Russ was one of the original members of McLean County Senior Golf Association and the ISU faculty/staff golf league.

He was inducted into ISU Athletic Hall of Fame on October 4, 1997.

Russ was a fifty-year member of First United Methodist Church in Normal.

He had been a winter resident in St. Petersburg, FL from 1985 to present.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Normal. Rev. Dr. Don Jackson will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.

Entombment will be in Chapel of Memories, in East Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to ISU Athletic Foundation or First United Methodist Church in Normal.

East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To view his memorial page or leave an online condolence please go to www.eastlawn-bloomington.com.