Donald R. Steele

Steele, Donald R, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 3, 2020. Born at home in Tennessee on December 2, 1940, to James and Lillie Mae Steele (Chavis), Don grew up in Knoxville TN. He fondly spoke of the excitement he saw as a teenager distilling and distributing moonshine through the county. After graduating from High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force where he served his country for four years and was stationed overseas in Germany. He moved to New Jersey where he met the love of his life, Mary Jane “Dolly”. They were married in 1984 in a small ceremony and were devoted to each other for 37 years, before he passed.

Don had a heating and cooling business for many years before becoming an Atlantic County Corrections Officer. In June 1999, he retired after 12 years of service as a Corrections Officer. In his free time, he enjoyed teaching his grandchildren wood working; working out in the garage; building model railroad villages; and traveling.

Donald is predeceased by his stepsons, Thomas Grace and David Grace (Beth). He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane (Leatherberry); and his stepdaughter, Lisa Reilly (James). In addition to being a loving stepfather and husband, he was the proud grandfather of Kimberly Brandenberger (Bob), Curtis Grace, Gina Grace, Brenda Reilly, Colleen Reilly, and James Reilly V. He was Great-Grandfather to Bobby Brandenberger, III and Selah Pruett.

Visitation will be on 4PM to 6PM Monday, November 8, 2020, followed by a service at Parsel’s Funeral Home, 324 New Jersey Ave., Absecon NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be mailed to Penny Angels Beagle Rescue, PO Box 2161, Ventnor, NJ 08406 or access their donation button on www.pennyangelsbeaglerescue.com. Online condolences may be placed at www.parselsfh.com.