John Calvin Steele, 65, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, died Thursday, April 24, 2014, at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, AR.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2014, at Broadway Presbyterian Church, 710 23rd Street, Rock Island, IL. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and inurnment will be at National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal. Military rites will be accorded by Moline American Legion Post #246. Memorials may be made to New Kingdom Trailriders.
John was born November 3, 1948, at Moline Public Hospital, the son of Hartwell and Bonnie Whiteside Steele. He married Pam Brotman on December 30, 1966, at Beulah Presbyterian Church in Orion and later married Linda Laughlin in 1999 in Clermont, Florida. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1966.
John was a United States Army veteran having served during the Vietnam War. He was self-employed as a Professional Horse Trainer and Judge for many years. He worked construction as a Project Superintendent building Malls across the South. He owned and operated his own Bar & Grill, appropriately named "Big John's on Little Lake Harris" in Tavares, Florida.
He enjoyed his horses, listening to Country Western music, golf, cooking and traveling the good ol' USA.
Survivors include:
Children Doug (Gaylee) Steele, Florida;
Kate (Josh) Tully, Nevada;
Step Children Cody (Tiffani) Laughlin, Florida;
Jayna Laughlin, Florida;
Grand Children Mikeal Steele, Florida;
Zackery Steele, Florida;
Cole Tully, Nevada;
Noah Tully, Nevada;
Riley Laughlin, Florida;
Finn Laughlin, Florida;
Siblings Mickey (Carole) Steele, Arkansas;
Barb (John) Norton, Arkansas;
Cindy (Kirk) Swanson, Arizona;
Deb Steele, Bettendorf;
Tom (Wendy) Steele, Milan;
Melissa (John) Oliver, Moline;
Laura (Todd) Dickey, Moline;
Sister-in-Law Kathy Steele, Aledo;
Many cherished nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; parents; brothers, William and Lawrence.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.