John Jay Steele Sr., 71

SEAFORD - John Jay Steele Sr of Seaford, formerly of Marydel, died Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at home, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 71.

John was born in Chester, Pa., on March 30, 1936.

He graduated from Chester High School in 1955.

After high school, John became an electrician and was a proud member of the Local Union 313, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

He was an avid hunter and gun enthusiast. He attended and graduated from the Citizens Police Academy, Dover, in 2003. He also enjoyed sailboats, riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family.

John was a dedicated member of Atlanta Road Alliance Church, Seaford, as well as a member of Gideons International, Nanticoke River and Yacht Club, The Gun Club and the Seaford Golf and Country Club.

He was preceded in death by his father, Victor L. Steele Jr.; his mother, Elizabeth S. Moore; and his first wife and mother of his children, Beatrice S. Steele, in 1979.

John is survived by his wife of four years, Mary Gardner Steele; a brother, Victor L Steele III of Marydel; three sons and their wives, Douglas W. and Lori Steele and Roger A. and Kimberly Steele, all of Marydel, and John Steele Jr. and Penny A. Steele of Milford; four grandchildren, Amanda and Wesley Steele, both of Milford, Edward Steele of Marydel, and Brian Ward of Hartly. He is also survived by Mary"s children, Raymond Gardner of Colorado, Deborah Gardner of California, and Glen Gardner of New Jersey.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the nurses and associates of Delaware Hospice for their caring and gentle hands during their father"s final days.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Del. 10), Dover, where a viewing will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Private burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or to Atlanta Road Alliance Church, P.O. Box 756, Seaford, DE 19973.

Letters of condolence may be written, and guestbook signed, at www.torbertfuneral.com.