Russell Steele Jr., 91, of Evans, WV, passed away May 9, 2023, in Ravenswood Village Nursing and Rehabilitation following an extended illness.

He was born January 7, 1932, in Dunbar, WV, a son of the late Russell F. Steele and Maddie (Gandee) Steele Geho. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother; sisters, Geneva Price and Anna Louise Clayton.

He was a United States Army veteran and member of the American Legion Post #107 Ripley, WV. He served on the Jackson County Honor Guard and was a driver for the disabled veterans logging over 75,000 miles driven. He was a founding, charter member of the Evans Church of God. He was retired from Kaiser Aluminum and a member of the United Steelworkers Union Local # 5668, Ravenswood. He enjoyed golfing, gardening and hunting especially for grouse.

Survivors include his wife Tressie L. (King) Steele; son, Ronald Lee (Paula J.) Steele of Parkersburg; daughter, Teresa D. (Ronald) Karst of Evans; sister, Phyllis Givens of Williamstown; grandchildren, Nicole (Brandon) Cobb of Evans, Joshua (Kevan) Steele of Edinburg, TX, Alex (Hailey) Karst of Evans; special grandchildren, A. Lew King and his wife Crystal of Evans and Nina Howell of Jacksonville, FL; step-grandchildren, Levi (Sarah) Stonbach and Jessie (Erik) Myers; great-grandchildren, Gage, Parker and Emry Cobb, Caydence Lee, Emily and Ian King, Logan and Sophia Howell; step-grandchildren, Everlee Myers.

Service will be 2 p.m. ~ Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Evans Church of God with Pastor Benjamin Riggleman officiating. Burial will follow in Fairplain Cemetery with military honors provided by the Jackson County Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 12 0'clock noon until time of the service Friday at the church.

Juniors love of life and passion for the Lord does not end with his death. His life and legacy will live on thru his loved ones. Family was constant in his life and he was a beacon of light and love for all he touched. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy for Junior. Most days you could find him in his porch swing (and later days his chair in the driveway) enjoying nature and everything the fresh air and outdoors had to offer. He loved meeting with his morning breakfast crew. Their friendship and conversation was something he looked forward to each morning. But mostly he is remembered by his love for the Lord. He was a fixture, a staple, to the Evans Church of God. His witness touched many lives as he watched the church grow from a tiny room out Beech Grove Road to the still growing beautiful structure on 87. The church was a huge part of who he was. And if he could, he would tell us all to remember life is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now. Do what matters, for tomorrow isn't promised.