Michelle Steele, 45, Vermilion school teacher
Michelle “Shelly” Diane Steele, 45, of Vermilion, died Sunday, October 5, 2003 at her home following a sudden illness.
She was born July 27, 1958 in Pittsburgh, PA and has been a resident of Vermilion since 1966.
She graduated from Vermilion High School in 1976, and from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1980. She received a Master Degree of Education from Ashland University in 1995.
She was a 6th grade teacher for the Vermilion School System and had taught in the district since 1984. As the women’s varsity softball coach, she led teams to district tournaments in 1995, 1999, and 2001. She was a member of the Ohio Fast Pitch Softball Coaches Association and was recognized as the Ohio Heartland Conference Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2001. In addition, she was recognized by the Coaches Association for 100 career wins in 1998. She originated the Vermilion High Alumni Annual softball game, and was also the women’s Varsity Volleyball Coach in the early 1990’s.
She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and choir, the Vermilion Teacher’s Association and its negotiation team, the Ohio Education System, and the National Education Association. She belonged to the Vermilion Auxiliary Chapters of AMVETS post #22, the VFW Post #7675, where she was Americanism Chairperson, the American Legion Post #397, the Vermilion Boat Club, and was active in Vermilion Golf leagues and bowling leagues.
She is survived by her mother, Faye Steele of Vermilion; brothers Mark (Jesselyn) Steele of Henderson, NV, Scott (Amy) Steele of Perrysburg, OH, and Eric (Lori) Steele, of Algonquin, IL; three nieces, three nephews, two uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Gale Steele, July 14, 1998, and grandparents, Viola and Harold Jackson, and Dorothy and Vance Steele.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio.
Services will be held at the Riddle Funeral Home, Wednesday, October 8, 2003, at 11 a.m. The Reverend James Cox, pastor of Grace Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Vermilion.
Contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, Coen and Lake Roads, Vermilion, OH 44089 or Vermilion Education Foundation, for the benefit of the Women’s Softball Team, P.O. Box 556, Vermilion, OH 44089.