Benjamin Lee Steele Sr., 81, of Laurel, Indiana, passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio where he had been a patient for the past week.
He was born April 10, 1935 in Bentonville, Indiana, one of nine children of George Green and Phema Parsons Steele. A veteran of the U. S. Navy, where he served from May 19, 1952 until May 18, 1960, Benjamin was stationed on the USS Yosemite AD-19.
On May 9, 1956, he was married in Laurel to Bertha Helen Watts, of Fall River, Massachusetts. Mrs. Steele survives.
For many years, he co-owned Steele Brothers Construction and later B & J Stone Mason Construction, retiring in 2005.
He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene, of Laurel. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a fan of football, NASCAR and boxing.
Survivors besides his wife of 60 years, Bertha Steele, include three children, Benjamin Lee (Sharon) Steele Jr., of Villa Hills, KY, Denise Lee (Randy) Bare, of Laurel, IN and Jason Lee Steele and companion, Ashley Houchin, of Brookville, IN; eight grandchildren, Benjamin L. Steele III, Kristen M. (Asa) Adams, Kendall J. Bare, Lacey (Josh) Minniti, Matthew Wilson, Brandy (Cory) Earnest, Ryan (Jamie) Wilson, Ashton Wilson; six great- grandchildren, Braylin Minniti, Reagan Minniti, Blayne Mullins, Parker Wilson, Ryder Minniti and Sophia Houchin; a brother, Lawrence (Ethel) Steele, of Brookville, IN; two sisters-in-law, Anna Steele, of Metamora, IN and Lucille Steele, of Laurel; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by five brothers, Joe Sparks, David Steele, Charles Steele, Everett Steele and Franklin Steele; two sisters, Venis Steele Feeback and Mary Steele Pence.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM, Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the Laurel Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Everett Quinton officiating. Burial with military honors by Bernard Hurst Post #77, American Legion, Brookville will be in Laurel North Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 11 AM until 3 PM on Thursday.
Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and friends may also visit anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.