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Author: MargieRoopPearce
Surnames: Steele, Krueckeberg, Lehrman, Koenemann, Bosse, Freudenberg, Etzler,
Stoppenhagen, Miller, McClain, Zimmerman, Croswell
Classification: obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams Co, IN; 7 September 2004
Wilbert G. Steele, 89 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, September
5, 2004 in Adams County Memorial Hospital, Decatur.
He was born on June 22, 1915 in Van Wert County, Ohio the son of the late Edwin Steele
and the late Bertha Krueckeberg. He married his first wife, Helen (Lehrman) Steele, on
September 7, 1940 in Striker, Ohio. She died on May 5, 1991. He married his second wife,
Anita M. Koenemann, on January 1, 1995 in Decatur, Indiana.
Wilbert was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur, where he held several offices
and was Trustee during the building of the new church in 1968. He was a member of the
General Electric Quarter Century Club, the Adams County Historical Society, the Lutheran
Laymans League and a former member of the Adams County Coin Club. Wilbert was also active
in the Zion Lutheran Church Adult Choir.
He was retired on July 1, 1980 from General Electric, Decatur with 37 1/2 years of
service. He was previously employed by Wayne Novelty for six years. Surviving are his
wife, Anita M. Steele of Decatur, Indiana, daughter, Mrs. Paul (Carolyn) Bosse of Plant
City, Florida, daughter, Mrs. Mark (Sandra) Freudenberg of Decatur, Indiana, son, Jerrold
(Linda) Steele of Indianapolis, Indiana, brother, Alton Steele of New Haven, Indiana,
brother, Lorenz Steele of Ohio City, Ohio, sister, Emma Etzler of Convoy, Ohio, sister,
Mrs. Marvin (Lucile) Stoppenhagen of Ossian, Indiana, step-son, Michael (Anita) Miller of
Decatur, Indiana, step-daughter, Mrs. John (Diane) McClain of Decatur, Indiana,
step-daughter, Mrs. Scott (Nola) Zimmerman of Richmond, Indiana, three grandchildren,
Brian & Jennifer Bosse and Luke Freudenberg, two great-grandchildren, David &
Carrie Bosse, six step-grandchildren, Tanya Croswell, Paul & Corbin Miller, Toby Reef,
and Riley & Russell Zimmerman, and one step !
great-grandchild, Kaitlynn Croswell. Wilbert was preceded in death by one daughter,
Brenda Lou Steele, two brothers, Herman Steele and Harry Steele, and one granddaughter,
Heidi Rose Freudenberg in infancy.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 9, 2004 in Zion
Lutheran Church, Decatur with Rev. John Fuchs officiating. Interment will follow in the
Decatur Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 8 at the
Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the
church on Thursday.
Preferred memorial are to Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur, Worship for Shut-Ins, or the
Donor's choice.
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