Elbert Steward Steele
1925-2010
Elbert Steward Steele, 84, beloved father, died January 6, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah of causes incident to old age.
Born January 24, 1925 to Elbert G and Clara Steward Steele, Elbert graduated from East High School and attended the University of Utah. During World War II, he served as a B-17 pilot in the Eighth Air Force, stationed in England. He flew over 20 missions, and was most proud of the mission he flew dropping food into the Netherlands shortly before war’s end. The town of Leiden, Netherlands, honored him and his crew in 1995 for his and the Allied forces role in preventing starvation in those difficult times.
Just before joining the service, he married Elizabeth Henderson on May 3, 1943 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had six children and a loving marriage that encompassed 58 years on earth, until Beth's death in 2001. They had a happy reunion Wednesday morning—no doubt walking the strand by now! Elbert worked as an aeronautical engineer for North American Aviation on experimental and military aircraft such as the F-100 and X-15, and as a design manager at North American Rockwell for propulsion and weapons systems on the XB-70 and B-1. He and Beth lived most of his work life in Southern California, returning to the Salt Lake Valley after retirement in 1985.
Elbert was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many positions. He was involved with the Scouting program, served as a bishop in Torrance and Manhattan Beach, California, and enjoyed additional service as a teacher, high councilman, choir director, and stake clerk. Elbert and his wife Beth served two missions together, serving in the office of the Salt Lake City Utah South mission, and later in the Philippines, where Elbert was Executive Secretary to the Philippines Area Presidency. They loved their service with the Filipino people, and formed a number of lifelong friendships. After their return, they met regularly with the “dominoes group”, made up of those who had served together in the Philippines. Elbert later served as the Executive Secretary for several Southwest United States Area Presidencies.
Elbert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elizabeth, daughter Martha, and grandson Tom2. He is survived by his sister Jean (Wallace) Witbeck, sister-in-law Anne (Kenneth) Karren, children Richard (Marjorie), David (Arva), Tom (Sandy), Mark (Peggy), and Suzanne (Wes) Roach; 28 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.
We are grateful to all who cared for and about our Dad, particularly his caregivers of the past few years, Tara and Adrianne, who made it possible for him to continue living in the comfort and security of his own home.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 12 at 11 am in the River Oaks Second Ward chapel, 8825 S 1095 W, West Jordan, Utah. Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah, Monday night from 6 to 8 pm, or at the chapel Tuesday morning from 10 to 10:45 am. Interment will be held in the Larkin Sunset Gardens following the funeral.
1925-2010
Elbert Steward Steele, 84, beloved father, died January 6, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah of causes incident to old age.
Born January 24, 1925 to Elbert G and Clara Steward Steele, Elbert graduated from East High School and attended the University of Utah. During World War II, he served as a B-17 pilot in the Eighth Air Force, stationed in England. He flew over 20 missions, and was most proud of the mission he flew dropping food into the Netherlands shortly before war’s end. The town of Leiden, Netherlands, honored him and his crew in 1995 for his and the Allied forces role in preventing starvation in those difficult times.
Just before joining the service, he married Elizabeth Henderson on May 3, 1943 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had six children and a loving marriage that encompassed 58 years on earth, until Beth's death in 2001. They had a happy reunion Wednesday morning—no doubt walking the strand by now! Elbert worked as an aeronautical engineer for North American Aviation on experimental and military aircraft such as the F-100 and X-15, and as a design manager at North American Rockwell for propulsion and weapons systems on the XB-70 and B-1. He and Beth lived most of his work life in Southern California, returning to the Salt Lake Valley after retirement in 1985.
Elbert was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many positions. He was involved with the Scouting program, served as a bishop in Torrance and Manhattan Beach, California, and enjoyed additional service as a teacher, high councilman, choir director, and stake clerk. Elbert and his wife Beth served two missions together, serving in the office of the Salt Lake City Utah South mission, and later in the Philippines, where Elbert was Executive Secretary to the Philippines Area Presidency. They loved their service with the Filipino people, and formed a number of lifelong friendships. After their return, they met regularly with the “dominoes group”, made up of those who had served together in the Philippines. Elbert later served as the Executive Secretary for several Southwest United States Area Presidencies.
Elbert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elizabeth, daughter Martha, and grandson Tom2. He is survived by his sister Jean (Wallace) Witbeck, sister-in-law Anne (Kenneth) Karren, children Richard (Marjorie), David (Arva), Tom (Sandy), Mark (Peggy), and Suzanne (Wes) Roach; 28 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.
We are grateful to all who cared for and about our Dad, particularly his caregivers of the past few years, Tara and Adrianne, who made it possible for him to continue living in the comfort and security of his own home.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 12 at 11 am in the River Oaks Second Ward chapel, 8825 S 1095 W, West Jordan, Utah. Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah, Monday night from 6 to 8 pm, or at the chapel Tuesday morning from 10 to 10:45 am. Interment will be held in the Larkin Sunset Gardens following the funeral.
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