Norman Lance Steele

, age 85, of rural Biggsville, Illinois died at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday April 3, 2013 at his home. He was born January 17, 1928 in the Santa Fe Agents Station House, near Nemo in Warren County, Illinois, the son of Harry L. and Ruby G. Wicks Steele. Sixty seven years ago, on February 5, 1946, he married Arlene Pendarvis in the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Steele farmed for many years near Biggsville, and also owned and operated the Steele Belting Company for many years. He was known throughout the area as The Bookmobile Man for many years, when he drove for the Henderson County Library. He was a Lay Speaker at many area churches, was an excellent singer and musician, and was a dedicated Christian and family man. He was a member of the Gladstone United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene, three daughters- Becky Jorgensen and Lisa (Joey) Mayo, both of Conway, Arkansas, April (Dan) Ashton of Biggsville, Illinois, two sons - Rick (Karen) Steele and Randy (Linno) Steele, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico, eight grandchildren- Jennifer (Sam) High, Joshua (Lainie) Jorgensen, Luke (Janna) Steele, Joanna (Jesse) Harden, Cody (Erika) Steele, Bethany Steele, Michael (Lacie) Mayo, and Carter Mayo, eleven great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson- Raudy Steele, two great grandchildren - Baby Harden and Zachary Steele, one sister- Esther Jane Blair, one brother-in-law - Lee Cochran, one sister-in-law - Dorothy Pendarvis Cochran, and one nephew-in-law - Jim Hiatt.

Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Monday at the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church, where the family will be present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday. The funeral for Mr. Steele will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday April 9, 2013 in the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Rick Steele, Randy Steele, and Richard Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Biggsville Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church, Gladstone United Methodist Church and Henderson County Hospice.