Earl Eugene Steele, age 85 of the Illinois Veterans Home, formerly of Macomb, IL, died on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 6:00AM in the home. Earl was born on October 16, 1928 in LaHarpe, IL, a son of John H. & Ada Mae (Lucas) Steele. He married Ruby Darlene Wright on July 22, 1949 in Macomb, IL. She survives.

Earl served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a firefighter with the Macomb Fire Department. He later worked in the maintenance department at Buehler Home in Peoria until his retirement.

He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge in Peoria. He loved woodworking and made clocks and hope chests. He enjoyed time spent with his Great Grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Ruby, he survived by two daughters, Shirley Thielbar and her husband George of PawPaw, MI and Frances Bodenhamer and her husband Rick of Gillette, WY; two grandchildren, Brian Thielbar and Amy Sweeney; seven great-grandchildren; and a step-nephew also survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Norma DeBerry.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Sunset Cemetery at the Illinois Veterans Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home in memory of Earl Eugene Steele. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.