John Delbert Steele

Services to celebrate the life of John Delbert Steele, 68, Gering, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Monument Bible Church in Scottsbluff. A second Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at New Life Assembly Church in Kearney. Cremation has taken place.
Mr. Steele died Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at his home.
He was born in Douglas County, Kan., the son of Delbert and Margaret Steele. While attending Lawrence High School he played the clarinet in the marching band and was the FFA Star Chapter Farmer in his graduating year of 1960. He attended college at Colorado State University, Kansas State University and Kansas University.
Mr. Steele farmed with his father until it was determined there was no future on the family farm in Douglas County as it was to become a part of the Clinton Reservoir. He worked at Farmland Industries fertilizer plant and FMC Corporation before again joining his father to farm in Parsons in Labette County, Kan. There he also distributed Bo-Jac corn, and he and his wife received the highest recognition in the company for their service.
In 1980 he moved with his family to Kearney. There he was active at New Life Assembly Church as an elder, and he taught adult classes, started a Men’s Fellowship Breakfast and led small group Bible studies.
Mr. Steele and his wife moved in 1994 to Sedona, Ariz., where they owned and operated A Territorial House B&B and Boots and Saddles B&B. He was a Chamber of Commerce member and volunteer at the visitor center.
After selling their bed-and-breakfasts, the Steeles returned to Scottsbluff in 2003. Mr. Steele worked as an inn-sitter and for Ashley Furniture until semi-retirement, when he assisted his son Kent with Sonshine Ventures construction and remodeling projects.
Mr. Steele enjoyed fishing, golfing and photographing anything wild — animals, birds, flowers and all natural beauty.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; a son, Kent and wife Sherry, Gering; a granddaughter, Madison; two stepgrandchildren, Tiffany and Derek Benoist; a sister, Becky Karnes and husband Steve, Wamego, Kan.; and a brother, David and wife Carolyn, Parsons, Kan. Also surviving are his brothers-in-law Marty Hoover and wife Pat, Lawrence, Kan., and Ron Hoover and wife Linda, Wabash, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Carol Redenbaugh and husband Roger, Sedona, Ariz.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Gregory Wayne.
The family suggests memorials to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation or to American Cancer Research.
Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at dugankramer.com.

• E-mail this obituary