May Steele

May Steele was born January 20, 1909, on a farm at Jarbalo, in Leavenworth County, Kansas. She was the daughter of John D. and Bessie L. (Cromer) Kinkaid. She grew up in Rantoul, Kansas, moving to the Appanoose Community in 1939. In 1991, she moved to Topeka, Kansas, where she made her home until her death Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at the age of ninety-three years. May graduated from Rantoul High School with the class of 1927. When she was a young woman, she was a telephone switchboard operator in Rantoul. She was also employed as a sales clerk in a Kansas City Department Store. After her marriage, she helped her husband on the farm. She was a member of Royal Neighbors of America Club, and enjoyed attending their social functions. May was an avid basketball fan and had such fun playing in high school at Rantoul. She was an outgoing person who enjoyed the company of people, especially children, and, in her quiet time, enjoyed needlework. On April 8, 1939, May was united in marriage with Howard E. Steele at Ottawa. He preceded her in death on January 24, 1992. Also preceding her in death are her parents; two brothers, Ray Kinkaid in 1976, Bill Kinkaid in 1985; and, two sisters, her twin, Mable Reedy in 1997, and Elizabeth Lewis in 2000. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Kinkaid of Topeka; brother, Ben Kinkaid of California; niece, Marjorie Springer and her husband, Ron, of Topeka; nephews, John Reedy and his wife, Karen, of Topeka, Charles Hagen and his wife, Kathy, of Lawrence; several other nieces and nephews; and, several great-nieces and great-nephews. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2002. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Terry Sue Wiliford. IN STATE: Mrs. Steele will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 a.m. Friday to the service hour. The family will meet with friends from 1 to 2:00 at the mortuary on Saturday afternoon prior to the service. CEMETERY: Dean Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Richter United Methodist Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.