Donald L. Steele, 88 of Joplin, Mo., died peacefully Monday, September 19, 2022, at his home. Born March 24, 1934, in Joplin, Mo., Don was the son of Floyd Sr. and Mary Alice Cavener Steele. He moved with his family to Baxter Springs at the age of three where he attended Baxter Springs schools. He was a graduate of Baxter Springs High School with the class of 1952. After graduation, Don’s father employed him for one year at Abernathy Lumber Yard. After being refused a raise by his father, Don decided to accept a football scholarship to Joplin Junior College. During his time at the college, he played football and basketball and was active in the Student Senate and the college’s journal publication. After graduation, he was employed by Yellow Transit Freight Lines, beginning what was to be a forty-year career in the trucking industry.
In 1956 Don was drafted into the United States Army and served his country as a Finance and accounting clerk in Post Medical Supply in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Don was honorably discharged in 1959 and served for six more years in the reserve.
On return to civilian life, Don and Nancy Faulkner were united in marriage at Baxter Springs in 1960 and his employment with Yellow Transit Freight Lines resumed. His career took him to several regions where he lived and worked, including Springfield, Mo.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Louisville, KY; Seattle, Wash.; Tulsa, Okla.; Little Rock, Ark.; and Dallas, Texas. In 1985, he was transferred back to Baxter Springs where he retired in 1995 as a Management Executive, managing several terminals for Yellow Transit Freight Lines.
Don was an avid golfer and was a former member of Loma Linda Country Club and Twin Hills Country Club. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Baxter State Bank and Baxter Bancshares. He was a Kentucky Colonel, an honor given by the Governor of Kentucky for outstanding service to the State’s Commonwealth. He loved to travel with his wife and enjoyed seeing almost all of the states in the United States.
While a member of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Don served as Treasurer for several years. He and his wife Nancy started a senior program, Senior Saints, which is still active. They also delivered meals on wheels for several years in the Joplin, Mo. area. Always active in church groups, Don and Nancy served the lord and made many wonderful friends. Don loved playing cards and dominos and watching his grandchildren in every game and sport they played. One of his greatest joys in his life was the time he was able to share with his family.
Don is survived by his wife of 62 years; three children: Shelley Fewel (husband Steve), of Muskogee, Okla., David Steele, of Webb City, Mo. and Sarah Storrs (husband Brad), of Seneca, Mo. Grandchildren: Jessica Mitchell, Steven Fewel, Saranne Fewel, Samuel Fewel, Wesley Storrs, Aaron Storrs, Andrew Storrs; great-grandchildren: Jada Steele, Savannah Fewel, Dason Fewel, Landon Fewel, Russell Fewel, Beau Storrs also survive.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Floyd Sr. and Mary Alice Steele, brothers Floyd Steele, Jr. and Robert Steele and sister Norma Kimbrough, father and mother-in-law Donald and Pauline Faulkner, brothers-inlaw Ronny Porta and Clifford Sappington.
A private graveside service with military honors will be held for the family at Ozark Memorial Cemetery. Funeral services were held at Park Plaza Christian Church, in Joplin Thursday, September 22. Mark Scott officiated.
Arrangements were entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.