Sylvia Eileen Steele

Sylvia Eileen Steele, 74, formerly of Nevada, Mo., passed away on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, at the Washington Regional Medical Center, in Fayetteville, Ark., following a lengthy illness. Sylvia was born Feb. 10, 1940, in Omaha, Neb., to Joseph Lewis and Edith Pearl (Blackburn) Ontman. She was united on marriage to Melvin Leon Steele on July 25, 1960, in Kansas City, Mo., and he survives of the home.

Sylvia graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Mo., with the Class of 1958. Following high school she began employment at the Kansas City Public Library where she worked until she and Melvin moved to Nevada in 1976. At that time Sylvia started working for Wal-Mart, in Nevada, and continued working there for 15 years before going on to work at the Nevada State Hospital for a number of years. Following Melvin's retirement from the V.A. Office in Nevada in 2003, they moved to Kansas City. For the past three years they have resided in Raymore, Mo.

Sylvia and Melvin were long-time members of the Pine Street Baptist Church, in Nevada, and also attended the South Haven Baptist Church, in Belton, Mo.

In addition to her husband, Melvin, survivors include her children, Ruth Smiddy, Independence, Mo., Melvin Steele Jr., Wes Plains, Mo., Jennie Martin, Farmington, Ark., Karen Wheeldon, Barrow, Ark., and Susan Rives, Louisburg, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Marilyn Boie, Arizona City, Ariz.; one brother, Homer Leroy Ontman, Kansas City, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and one sister.

A funeral service will be held at noon, Friday, Feb. 13, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with Pastor Steven Rives officiating. Interment will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon, prior to the service.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.