Burrel R. Steele

Mr. Steele died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in Olathe.

He was born Jan. 22, 1930, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Tom and Mary (Hidy) Steele.

He moved to DeSoto in 1942 and graduated in 1947 from DeSoto High School. He was a pipefitter at General Motors for 10 years and was a carpenter and contractor, building cabinets and homes. In 1973 he started Steele Construction and Excavation in DeSoto.

Mr. Steele was a master mason at Masonic Lodge No. 40 and a member of Lions Club and Scottish Rite in Lawrence. He also had served as a DeSoto city councilman, president of DeSoto Cemetery Board and a baseball coach.

He married Vonnie Allen on Jan. 16, 1949, in Eudora. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Dale, Linwood, and Lawrence, DeSoto; and five grandchildren.

A daughter, Donita Jolene Steele, died earlier.

The family suggests memorials to DeSoto Baptist Church, Box F, DeSoto 66018.

Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel, DeSoto, is in charge of arrangements.