Philip D. "Phil" Steele
6/23/2010

 
Philip D. “Phil” Steele, 73, of Altoona, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, June 23, 2010.  He was born September 1, 1936 in Barree, PA, the son of the late John E. Sr. and Pauline C. (Stouffer) Steele.  Phil married Kay F. Brown on October 4, 1958 at Otterbein EUB Church, Juniata.  He was a member of First Church of Christ where he currently served as an Elder, and was a former member of Otterbein United Methodist Church.  Phil retired in 1995 after 37 years of service as manager of inventory control for Conrail in Philadelphia.  He was currently employed as a security greeter for the Altoona Area School District at Stevens School Building.  Phil was a 1956 graduate of Altoona High School.  He was a US Army veteran attaining the rank of SP5, serving with the 902nd INTC Group (Counter Intelligence) and later served in the Air National Guard.  Phil was a member of Altoona Alumni Association and enjoyed Penn State Athletics, especially football and basketball.  He was involved with Coaches vs Cancer along with Jerry Dunn.   Phil was a former member of the Altoona Jaycees and organized a stop for the PBA Tour locally.  He was a volunteer for the Altoona Hospital and was past chairperson of the American Heart Association Silent Auction for many years.  Phil enjoyed the Lighthouse Men’s Fellowship every Saturday morning and was involved in the apple dumpling project.  He loved his family and was very involved with his grandchildren’s lives and sporting activities.  Phil is survived by his wife of 52 years; sons Philip D. Steele and wife Sherri, Patrick D. Steele and wife Sonja, and daughter Pamela D. Colabove and husband Richard, all of Altoona, grandchildren, Amanda Zeak and husband Andy of Camp Lejeune, NC, Tyson Steele, Paige Steele, Collin Steele, Conner Steele and Alexander Colabove, all of Altoona, step-grandchildren, Richard Colabove, Alecia Castrechini and Alanna Castrechini; brothers, Robert “Bud” Steele and wife Judy of Altoona, George “Pete” Steele and wife Sara of Virginia, F. Xen Steele and wife Louise of Hollidaysburg, sister-in-law Helen Steele of Naples, FL, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his daughter Linda Kay Steele and brother, John E. Steele II.
Friends will be received from 2:00–8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 27, 2010 and 9:30–10:30 a.m., Monday, June 28, 2010 at First Church of Christ, Juniata Gap & Good Shepherd Roads, Altoona, PA.  A funeral service followed by military honors will be held at 11:00am on Monday, June 28 at the church, officiated by Pastor John Collins.  Interment will be at Blair Memorial Park.  In remembrance of Phil, those who wish may make contributions to First Church of Christ, Imagine Campaign, P.O. Box 2066, Altoona, PA, 16601, The Lighthouse Men’s Fellowship, 116 Trinity Lane,        Altoona, PA, 16601, or the American Heart Association, 777 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.  Arrangements are being handled by E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 2309 Broad Avenue, Altoona, PA. 

Service
A funeral service followed by military honors will be held at 11:00am on Monday, June 28, 2010 at First Church of Christ, officiated by Pastor John Collins.

Contributions
In remembrance of Phil, those who wish may make contributions to First Church of Christ, Imagine Campaign, P.O. Box 2066, Altoona, PA, 16601, The Lighthouse Men’s Fellowship, 116 Trinity Lane, Altoona, PA, 16601, or the American Heart Association, 777 Penn Center Blvd. Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

Karen Reilly and family 6/26/2010 2:14:00 AM
Pam,Patrick,Phil,Mrs.Steele and families, Our deepest sympathy goes to all of you. I just saw Mr. Steele at Tyson's baseball game with Alex last week as he often was. You were all very lucky to have had such a caring Father and Grandfather. God bless all of you and may all of your wonderful memories live on. Tim and Karen Reilly and family.

Don & Mary Trullender 6/26/2010 10:16:00 AM
Kay, Words cannot express the saddness and sorrow of losing a husband and soulmate.Kay please except are deepest sympathy. God bless you and your family.

Mary Oldham 6/26/2010 12:34:00 PM
Dear Kay and family, When you need a little hug or kiss, please accept mine from a long distance. My condolences are with you all. Phil was a great friend and we'll miss him too. My prayers are with you. With His love.

Kelly Grassmyer 6/26/2010 2:31:00 PM
Phil was always the first to greet me with a smile every Sunday morning at church. Every time he talked with me, he asked about my father and his health. His genuine care and kindness will be remembered forever. My thoughts and prayers go to each family member. May Phil's gentle character traits and faithfulness to God live on in each of you.

Deb & Russ Lingenfelter 6/26/2010 2:36:00 PM
Dear friend Kay and kids, we know what a terible shodck and loss this is for all of you. Please know that all of you are in our hearts and prayers. I have so very many fond memories of you guys since we met through Uncle Dale and Linda, babysitting your kids, singing in the choir at Otterbein, and going to church all those years with all of you and Cy and Bella. You and Phil were wonderful when Mom passed. We share in your loss and will never forget Phil. We love you, Russ and Deb

Marlene Russo (Stumpf) class of 195 6/27/2010 2:01:00 PM
Dear Kay and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It was always good to see you and Phil at the Sweetheart Ball for the American Heart Association. It is always so sad to hear one of my classmates has passed away. Good Bless You Love Marlene & Tom Russo

Jack and Pastor Barb Servello 6/27/2010 8:06:00 PM
HEY PHIL! That will always ring in my mind just as it did every Saturday morning. Phil's stories were great, but what he did behind the scenes is what will stand out forever. We will miss you Phil, but we know you are rejoicing with the Lord!

Pasror Joe Himes 6/28/2010 8:22:00 AM
Phil was so kind. I'm part of the Lighthouse fellowship. I suffer from MD and am in a wheelchair. Phil showed such thoughtfullness and compassion. I just want you to know how genuinely loving he was with me. He saw a need and he'd quietly bless Candy and me. I loved that guy; always will. Our loss is heaven's gain. our gain was Phil! I said to my Candy, "I can Imagine in glory when Phil receives his crowns, we from the Lighthouse fellowship will all yell, as we did each week, "HEY PHIL!" God's grace.

6/29/2010 1:38:00 PM
Dear Kay & Family, I just learned of Phil's passing and I so sorry for your loss.. Please know Phil was near and dear to me.. and truly made a difference in everyone's life that he touch! Sharon O'Keiff

6/29/2010 1:38:00 PM
Dear Kay & Family, I just learned of Phil's passing and I so sorry for your loss.. Please know Phil was near and dear to me.. and truly made a difference in everyone's life that he touch! Sharon O'Keiff

Harry Snyder 6/30/2010 4:22:00 PM
I graduated with Phil from AHS in 1956 and remember the good times we had our senior years and just heard of his passing..My condolences and prayers go out to his family.

Judy & Norm Goetz 7/1/2010 10:37:00 AM
Dear Kay & Family, I just learned of Phil's passing and our prayers are with all of you at this time. The most outstaning attribute of Phil was his smile and positive attitude that he carried with him all the time. He will be in your hearts forever. God Bless.

Bob, Gail & Skip Hainsey 7/3/2010 2:21:00 PM
For Kay and family: We have just learned of Phil's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the good Lord Bless and keep you and your family in His tender care until that time when you meet Phil again in Glory Land. God Bless.

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