Mary
Mary Lou Steele
Mary Lou passed away Sunday, November 18, 2018 surrounded by her family at her home in Plainwell.
She was born February 8, 1931 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Earl and Blanche (Towne) Hoyt. Mary Lou had worked at Consumers Power for a couple of years. She met the love of her life, Bruce Steele on a blind date and they were married on September 2, 1950 in Kalamazoo. Mary Lou spent the next several years raising her four children. She loved taking care of her family and helping to run the family farm. Mary Lou enjoyed cooking and was known for her great meals and large lunches. She was a member of the Slick Chicks Garden Club in Cooper and had been a 4-H leader and had taught sewing.
Mary Lou was also an active member of the Otsego Church of God where she enjoyed being part of the sewing circle. She and Bruce were inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame in the 90’s.
Surviving are her husband; children, Douglas (Christine Kling) Steele of Otsego, Diana (Keeler) Thompson of California, David Steele of Plainwell and Deborah (Steven) Cook of Indiana; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; her siblings, Russell (Alice) Hoyt and Lois (Jim) Richmond along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and great-granddaughter, Kinsleigh Kathleen Weaver. According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Mary Lou’s family starting at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Otsego Church of God, until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Stephen Burrow officiating.
Private family burial of ashes will take place at Hillside Cemetery at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Mary Lou may be made to the Otsego Church of God or to
Wings of Hope Hospice
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Mary Lou Steele
Condolence Messages
Bill &Pat Shannon
November 19, 2018 at 3:42 pm
So sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Reply
Phil & Diane
November 19, 2018 at 4:30 pm
We are saddened to hear the news of Aunt Lou passing. Many good memories of her. Thoughts and prayers to all of the family.
Reply
BEA GAUTHIER
November 19, 2018 at 5:21 pm
So sorry for your loss. Mary Lou was a wonderful person. With a big heart. Hugs to all
Reply
Mike & Chris VanDenBerg
November 19, 2018 at 5:59 pm
Sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
Reply
Dennis & Jenny Todd
November 19, 2018 at 6:41 pm
We are sad to hear of Mary Lou’s passing.
Praying for God to comfort you as you reminisce of her life!!!
Such an AMAZING Woman of God!!!!
Enjoy your new life with Christ in Heaven!!
Reply
Marty & Carolyn Buffenbarger
November 19, 2018 at 8:07 pm
Lou had a great spirit with a kind word, a encouraging look or a great meal. There are and will be many women who reflect the Proverbs 31 woman and Lou was certainly one of them.
Reply
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
November 19, 2018 at 11:33 pm
Our thoughts and sympathy are with all of you. May you find peace and comfort in the coming days and months. Please know that others care and are keeping you in our daily thoughts. Take Care.
Reply
Jennifer Mitchell
November 20, 2018 at 6:19 am
I’m so sorry to learn of your loss. Your mom and I did physical therapy together a couple of years ago. I really admired her strength and great attitude.
Reply
Bernie Betke
November 20, 2018 at 7:33 am
Sorry for your lost! Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Reply
Marilyn Abernathy
November 20, 2018 at 8:40 am
I’m so sorry to hear this news of MaryLou, I will always remember her beautiful smile and our little chats at all of the luncheons she so lovingly served at the church and all of the family gatherings!
Reply
Bill Reppenhagen
November 20, 2018 at 10:00 am
Very sorry sorry to hear about the loss of a wonderful woman. She always had a warm smile and found the good in everything around her. I know she will be missed. My thoughts are with the entire Steele family.
Reply
Alice May Davis
November 20, 2018 at 10:20 am
So sorry for your loss Deb. Wish I could be with you at this said time. I will be praying for your dear mother and you whole family.
Reply
Sheryl Foster-Todd
November 20, 2018 at 1:18 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. She was a wonderful woman and may sh RIP.
Reply
Jean Blanchard Buchin Joyce Blanchard Watson Joanne Blanchard Pollard
November 20, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Sympathies for the huge loss of Mary Lou.
Our Cooper has lost another wonderful person whom we
all knew from all the families – and 4-H.
Wilma Blanchard’s J Girls.
Jean
Joyce
Joanne
Reply
John. Jean Buchin
November 20, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Sympathies for the whole Family. She will be missed.
Reply
Amy Predum & Ashton
November 20, 2018 at 4:57 pm
So sorry my condolences to the Steele family.
Reply
Melanie Whyment
November 21, 2018 at 5:58 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Aaron and Melanie Whyment
Reply
Charlene Mason
November 21, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Mary Lou was one of my favorite people to see and visit.
She was so much fun talk to..
I will miss our talks and doing crafts..
I love you Mrs.Mary Lou..
Reply
Dave Newhouse
November 22, 2018 at 8:37 am
Sorry to learn of Mary Lou’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out for Bruce and the family. May God Bless each one of you.
Reply
Jim and Wendy Gauthier
November 23, 2018 at 1:55 pm
Prayers for all of you at this difficult time.
Reply
Craig and Lorna Sisson
November 24, 2018 at 9:06 am
So very sorry for your loss. May Lou was such a warm and kind person. Always had a smile for those she met. Craig enjoyed both of you so much and I will never forget my “walk in the woods” with her. May your wonderful memories sustain you at this difficult time.
God bless.
Reply
Ken and Marge Laverack
November 24, 2018 at 10:26 pm
So sorry to hear about Mary Lou. We go back to high school and when the guys were in the Service, we gals got together.
Reply
Amy Bollinger
November 25, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Mrs. Steele taught me to sew when I was 7; my first dress entered in the Allegan County Fair won a blue ribbon! I remember that Diane didn’t like to babysit us because she thought the old Sherwood Farm was haunted, so sometimes we’d end up at your farm when our parents went out. Mrs. Steele was always so nice to my sister Lori and I. May her memory be a blessing to all of you.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
Email
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
She was born February 8, 1931 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Earl and Blanche (Towne) Hoyt. Mary Lou had worked at Consumers Power for a couple of years. She met the love of her life, Bruce Steele on a blind date and they were married on September 2, 1950 in Kalamazoo. Mary Lou spent the next several years raising her four children. She loved taking care of her family and helping to run the family farm. Mary Lou enjoyed cooking and was known for her great meals and large lunches. She was a member of the Slick Chicks Garden Club in Cooper and had been a 4-H leader and had taught sewing.
Mary Lou was also an active member of the Otsego Church of God where she enjoyed being part of the sewing circle. She and Bruce were inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame in the 90’s.
Surviving are her husband; children, Douglas (Christine Kling) Steele of Otsego, Diana (Keeler) Thompson of California, David Steele of Plainwell and Deborah (Steven) Cook of Indiana; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; her siblings, Russell (Alice) Hoyt and Lois (Jim) Richmond along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and great-granddaughter, Kinsleigh Kathleen Weaver. According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Mary Lou’s family starting at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Otsego Church of God, until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Stephen Burrow officiating.
Private family burial of ashes will take place at Hillside Cemetery at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Mary Lou may be made to the Otsego Church of God or to
Wings of Hope Hospice
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Mary Lou Steele
Condolence Messages
Bill &Pat Shannon
November 19, 2018 at 3:42 pm
So sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Reply
Phil & Diane
November 19, 2018 at 4:30 pm
We are saddened to hear the news of Aunt Lou passing. Many good memories of her. Thoughts and prayers to all of the family.
Reply
BEA GAUTHIER
November 19, 2018 at 5:21 pm
So sorry for your loss. Mary Lou was a wonderful person. With a big heart. Hugs to all
Reply
Mike & Chris VanDenBerg
November 19, 2018 at 5:59 pm
Sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
Reply
Dennis & Jenny Todd
November 19, 2018 at 6:41 pm
We are sad to hear of Mary Lou’s passing.
Praying for God to comfort you as you reminisce of her life!!!
Such an AMAZING Woman of God!!!!
Enjoy your new life with Christ in Heaven!!
Reply
Marty & Carolyn Buffenbarger
November 19, 2018 at 8:07 pm
Lou had a great spirit with a kind word, a encouraging look or a great meal. There are and will be many women who reflect the Proverbs 31 woman and Lou was certainly one of them.
Reply
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
November 19, 2018 at 11:33 pm
Our thoughts and sympathy are with all of you. May you find peace and comfort in the coming days and months. Please know that others care and are keeping you in our daily thoughts. Take Care.
Reply
Jennifer Mitchell
November 20, 2018 at 6:19 am
I’m so sorry to learn of your loss. Your mom and I did physical therapy together a couple of years ago. I really admired her strength and great attitude.
Reply
Bernie Betke
November 20, 2018 at 7:33 am
Sorry for your lost! Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Reply
Marilyn Abernathy
November 20, 2018 at 8:40 am
I’m so sorry to hear this news of MaryLou, I will always remember her beautiful smile and our little chats at all of the luncheons she so lovingly served at the church and all of the family gatherings!
Reply
Bill Reppenhagen
November 20, 2018 at 10:00 am
Very sorry sorry to hear about the loss of a wonderful woman. She always had a warm smile and found the good in everything around her. I know she will be missed. My thoughts are with the entire Steele family.
Reply
Alice May Davis
November 20, 2018 at 10:20 am
So sorry for your loss Deb. Wish I could be with you at this said time. I will be praying for your dear mother and you whole family.
Reply
Sheryl Foster-Todd
November 20, 2018 at 1:18 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. She was a wonderful woman and may sh RIP.
Reply
Jean Blanchard Buchin Joyce Blanchard Watson Joanne Blanchard Pollard
November 20, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Sympathies for the huge loss of Mary Lou.
Our Cooper has lost another wonderful person whom we
all knew from all the families – and 4-H.
Wilma Blanchard’s J Girls.
Jean
Joyce
Joanne
Reply
John. Jean Buchin
November 20, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Sympathies for the whole Family. She will be missed.
Reply
Amy Predum & Ashton
November 20, 2018 at 4:57 pm
So sorry my condolences to the Steele family.
Reply
Melanie Whyment
November 21, 2018 at 5:58 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Aaron and Melanie Whyment
Reply
Charlene Mason
November 21, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Mary Lou was one of my favorite people to see and visit.
She was so much fun talk to..
I will miss our talks and doing crafts..
I love you Mrs.Mary Lou..
Reply
Dave Newhouse
November 22, 2018 at 8:37 am
Sorry to learn of Mary Lou’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out for Bruce and the family. May God Bless each one of you.
Reply
Jim and Wendy Gauthier
November 23, 2018 at 1:55 pm
Prayers for all of you at this difficult time.
Reply
Craig and Lorna Sisson
November 24, 2018 at 9:06 am
So very sorry for your loss. May Lou was such a warm and kind person. Always had a smile for those she met. Craig enjoyed both of you so much and I will never forget my “walk in the woods” with her. May your wonderful memories sustain you at this difficult time.
God bless.
Reply
Ken and Marge Laverack
November 24, 2018 at 10:26 pm
So sorry to hear about Mary Lou. We go back to high school and when the guys were in the Service, we gals got together.
Reply
Amy Bollinger
November 25, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Mrs. Steele taught me to sew when I was 7; my first dress entered in the Allegan County Fair won a blue ribbon! I remember that Diane didn’t like to babysit us because she thought the old Sherwood Farm was haunted, so sometimes we’d end up at your farm when our parents went out. Mrs. Steele was always so nice to my sister Lori and I. May her memory be a blessing to all of you.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
Guestbook
Visits: 3
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors