HARTLY - John Milton Steele, age 94, of Hartly, died on Monday, June 13, 2011, at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, as a result of a massive stroke he suffered on April 2. Mr. Steele died just 12 days before his 95th birthday. Milton was born in Dover on June 25, 1916, to the late Nolan G. and Elevia Bradley Steele. He was a good man, who loved his family, a hard - working, exemplary farmer all of his life, who loved the land he farmed for 69 years. He kept his land immaculate, not a spear of grass out of place, not a single weed in sight. He was admired by all the other farmers in the area. In the early years, Milton worked the fields by day and played country music by night. He also worked for General Foods in Dover for 18 years. Mr. Steele is survived by his wife of 69 years, Eva Baltrunas Steele; his daughter, Frances A. Vest of Hartly; and granddaughter, Lisa A. Vest of Hartly. Funeral services will be held at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Route 10), Dover, on Monday, June 20, 2011, at noon. Viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to noon. Interment will follow at Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.