Obituary of Francis Kenneth Steele

WEST COLUMBIA— Francis Kenneth "Ken" Steele, 88, loving husband for 70 years of Jessie Mae Steele, died July 11, 2014 in his home. Kenneth was born May 31, 1926, in West Columbia. Funeral services for Francis Kenneth Steele will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2014, at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, 1000 B Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169. Reverend Wade Roof officiating with interment to follow in Southland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Monday July 14, 2014 at the church parlor. Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia, 200 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169 is assisting the family with arrangements. Kenneth was born May 31, 1926 in West Columbia, SC and passed away on Friday July 11, 2014. He was a son of the late Samuel and Mattie Steele. He worked at General Electric. After retiring from General Electric, Kenneth worked for Michelin, where he retired in July, 1991. He then worked part time for Hertz Rental Cars until his wife (Jessie Mae) became disabled and he became her full-time caregiver. He was a faithful member of Mt. Tabor Lutheran church and enjoyed serving in Sunday school and the Sunshine Club. He was involved in Scouts and he was known for his love of gardening, cooking, and baking. Surviving are his wife, Jessie Mae Bundrick Steele; child, Francis Boyd Steele; grandchildren, Kenneth Boyd Steele, Kristie Amanda Steele, Marissa Cheyenne Steele, Christian Dakota Steele, Katlynn Nakoma Steele, and Justin Salali Steele; great-grandchildren, Kenneth Michael Steele, James Andrew Wirth, Jr., Brendan Francis Wirth, and Harmon Tyler Wirth, Samuel and Mattie Steele. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Samuel Willard (Dub) Steele, Jr., and his sister, Ola Ruth Browder. Memorials may be given to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, 1000 B Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169.