Robert Wayne Steele Jr.

Robert (Bob) Wayne Steele, Jr., 88, of Overbrook, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Brookside Retirement Community.

Bob was born on Tuesday, March 5, 1935, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Robert Wayne Sr. and Grace (Menneke) Steele.

Family will meet with friends at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Appanoose Baptist Church in Pomona, Kansas.

In 1945, when Bob was ten years old, his family moved from Garden City to the Steele Farm to take over dairying. He attended a one room school from 5th-8th grade and then graduated from Appanoose High with the class of 1953.

Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life, Geraldine, on Sunday, December 2, 1956, in Ottawa, Kansas and they shared 67 years together. Bob and Gerri made Overbrook, Kansas their home since 1999.

Right after he graduated school, Bob joined the Kansas National Guard from 1953 to 1962. During this time and many years after, he was a dairy and agricultural farmer for a total of 43 years, After Bob and Gerri sold their cows, he went to work for the Lawrence Paper Company from 1992-2005.

He loved to garden and grow flowers. Bob was an avid fisher and would fish whenever he could. At the assisted living facility in Overbrook, Bob and Gerri would come up to do the fish frying for the residents. He also loved watching the Kansas City Chiefs, the Royals, and K.U. Jayhawks basketball games.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his daughters, Kathy Wilson and Pam Finch; and one grandchild, Eric Finch.

He is survived by his wife, Gerri Steele of Overbrook, Kansas; son, Wayne Steele of Kansas City, Kansas; son-in-law, Donny Finch of Ottawa, Kansas; sister, Delores Smith of Casper, Wyoming; sister-in-law, Ethel Steele of Centropolis, Kansas; four grandchildren, Nathan Finch of Kansas City, Kansas, Carie Beth Gunnels of Ottawa, Kansas, Jason Steele of Ottawa, Kansas, Natasha Snyder of Colorado Springs, Colorado; seven great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many other relatives and friends.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Appanoose Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Bob’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com.