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Irene Steele

November 26, 1920 — September 2, 2023

Irene Steele, 102, passed away peacefully in her home with her daughters present on Saturday, September 2, 2023.

Ruth Irene Steele was born in Unionville, Missouri, on November 26, 1920, the daughter of Orval and Sylvia (Fullerton) Carter.  She attended Blackbird country school. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the First Baptist Church in Unionville on September 30, 1934.  She was an active member of the church and belonged to the Fern Harrington Circle and was a Sunday school and Bible school teacher.  Irene joined Omaha Baptist Church on November 4, 2012, where she was an active member and belonged to Women on Mission.

Irene graduated from Unionville High School in 1939 where she met Marvin, her high school sweetheart.  She clerked in Ben Franklin, G & E Variety store, and was a telephone operator after graduating from high school. Irene married Marvin Steele in a double wedding ceremony with Max Cleaver and Ruth McKinley in Princeton, Missouri, on May 17, 1942.  She worked in the Rockford, Illinois, defense plant while Marvin was overseas serving in World War II.  They made their home in Lemons, Missouri, when Marvin was discharged from the army.  To this union two daughters were born, Vicki and Jolene.  She belonged to the Silver Circle Club.  Irene joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 1946 and served the auxiliary at Lemons and Unionville for 77 years.

After moving to Unionville in 1956 Irene was a member of the OAO Extension Club.  She enjoyed making quilts for all her family and friends.  She clerked auctions for Willard Arnaman and Gary Knight.  Irene loved raising roses that she shared with family and friends.  Marvin and Irene enjoyed traveling and went to all 50 state capitals.  They also wintered in Florida for several years.  They were honored to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 1992.

Those left to cherish and honor her memory are her two daughters, Vicki Stewart of Unionville, Missouri, and Jolene (Bruce) Oviatt of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  Her four grandchildren are Natalie (Joe) Bayer, Sharla (Clayton) Huseman, Mike McKinley, and Morgan (Amanda) Oviatt, Irene’s eight great grandchildren are Alec, Landon, Tucker, Paxton, Hadley, Mickie (Zack), Sidney, and Jaylin. Her great-great granddaughter is Lark Loraine.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who died April 21, 2000; infant grandson, Jerren McKinley; son-in-law, Jack Stewart; brothers Hobert (Dorothy) Carter, Robert (Bernice) Carter; sisters, Leota (Noel) Neighbor, Leona (Norman) Butrick, Alberta (Jay) Barber, and Lee Howard.

Irene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services for Irene will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home at 11:00 am Tuesday, September 12, 2023, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to the Omaha Baptist Church and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.


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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)

Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home

709 South 27th Street, Unionville, MO 63565

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home

709 South 27th Street, Unionville, MO 63565

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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