Mary Lou Steele departed this life and went home to be with the Lord, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the age of 87, surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born February 20, 1937 in Jamestown Kentucky. Mary was the youngest of seven children to the late Elisha Wade Appleby and Pearl Mattie (Wright) Appleby.

On January 28, 1953 she was united in marriage to Earl Thomas Steele. They shared 70 years of marriage, prior to his death on December 9th, 2023. They were blessed with 5 children.

Mary was a homemaker, she devoted her life to her children and was best known for her delicious fried apple pies and dumplings. She loved playing her keyboard while her family gathered around and sang songs. She loved to go church, she attended Family Worship Church in Blooming Grove, IN and Full Gospel Holliness Church in Connersville. Mary will be greatly missed by her family.

Mary will always be loved by her daughters Debbie (Benny) Hurley, Dianna (Jerry) Rader, and her son Russell (Judy) Steele, and her grandchildren Debi (Gibson) Miller, Tonia Steele, Cynthia (Hurley) Walling, Brian Hurley, Roxanne Steele, Shelby Steele, Jeanett Steele, Nathon Schoettmer, Krystal Stone, Steven Pitts; as well as several great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren. Mary is survived by one sister, Opal Stamm of Celina, Ohio.

Besides her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Earl Thomas Steele; a son Earl Michael Steele, a daughter Pamela Jane Steele; and a grandson Sean Steele; her sisters, Dora Bunch, Dorothy Bunch, Kathleen Bunch; brothers, Kenneth L. Appleby, Woodrow Appleby.

Family and friends may gather on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM at Urban Winkler Funeral Home located at 513 W 8th Street Connersville, IN 47331. A funeral service will begin at 1:00PM. Burial will follow at Dale Cemetery.