Vernon E. Steele

Funeral service for Vernon E. Steele, a well-known La Junta resident, will be held Friday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Sixth and San Juan Ave. Officiating will be the Rev. Terilynn Russ, pastor of the church. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery with concluding services by La Junta Elks Lodge No. 701.

Visitation for friends will be prior to the funeral service from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Peacock Memorial Chapel.

Mr. Steele died Sunday evening, Aug. 23, 2009, at Arkansas Valley Regional Nursing Care Center. He died following a very long and courageous battle with his health. In later years, friends and acquaintances will remember seeing him ride his motorized scooter with its orange flag to and from town, waving to passers-by and stopping frequently to visit.
Born in Lamar on June 19, 1933, he was the son of Harley and Mary Barnhart Steele. The family farmed in the Wiley area and Vernon started his schooling there. He graduated from Las Animas High School in 1951. He has been a resident of La Junta since 1954.
On Aug. 5, 1956, he married Cynthia A. "Cindy" Ritter in La Junta at the United Methodist Church.
Mr. Steele was a "master" salesman in the auto business, working at different times for Baker Motors, Jones Motors and Spradley Motors. He also worked in the dairy business and for Greenstreet Distributing.
For many years he was a very helpful and friendly employee at the La Junta Elks Lodge, serving as secretary and club manager, a job where he excelled at working with people. His laughter and greeting were always contagious. The family of a former exalted ruler at the La Junta lodge fondly remembers when they were preparing to leave for the Grand Lodge session in San Francisco, Calif. Vernon had prepared a "care" package for the trip. There were four adults and two children making the trip by car. Luggage took up most of the trunk but they all agreed that clothes would have to be left behind rather than the big care package.
A friendly, generous and caring individual, Mr. Steele was always concerned about other people. "There is someone that's worse off than me and might need help," he would tell his family. His children remember him telling them that no matter what happened in their lives they could always come home --- a very comforting thought for young folks.
His family and friends recall how Vernon loved to tell stories. Some folks might know he was an excellent yodeler -- but couldn't play the guitar.
He was a life member of La Junta Elks Lodge No. 701, a volunteer with Arkansas Valley Hospice and Alcoholics Anonymous and over the years was active in various other community organizations.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy, of the home; four children, Lisa (Dave) Hammerling, Kingman, Ariz.; Vernon "Dewey" (Bev) Steele, Colorado Springs; John (Suzanne) Steele, Metamora, Ind.; Susan (Tim) Knabenshue, Swink; 10 grandchildren, Katie Scott, Riley Hammerling, Kingman, Ariz.; Megan Steele, Emily Steele, Colorado Springs; Jonathon Steele, Stephen Steele, Veronica Steele, Metamora, Ind.; Jordin Knabenshue, Joshua Knabenshue, Karlee Knabenshue, Swink; one great-grandson, Ryan Scott, Kingman, Ariz.; two sisters, Thelma Ice, Denver; Nadine Carter, Lamar; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Janice Matthew, Pueblo; Burch Ritter, La Junta; Kay and Lee Ricken of Las Animas; Robert Idler and Wilma Steele, both of Lamar.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Mary Steele and siblings, Robert, Donald and Kenneth Steele and Frances Idler.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church, 6th & San Juan Ave., La Junta, CO, 81050 or to the Arkansas Valley Hospice Assoc., P.O. Box 408, La Junta direct or through the funeral home.