Obituary for John Steely

Ponca City Now - March 16, 2016 12:00 am

John Junior Steely

(June 24, 1929 – March 15, 2016)

John Junior “June Bug” Steely of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday afternoon, March 15, 2016 in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 86 years.

John Junior “June Bug” Steely was born on June 24, 1929 to Joseph and Golda (Foote) Steely and was raised by his grandparents Fred and Eva Foote. He attended Blackwell Public Schools and Graduated with the class of 1948. He joined the United States Navy in 1948 and was a submariner fireman, retiring in 1952. He married Mary Margaret Scott on December 22, 1950, in Inglewood, California, and parted ways in 1981. He married Norma Almack on March 20, 1982, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. He enjoyed tending pecan trees, searching for rocks, hunting, driving country roads, shooting pool and drinking beer. He was an avid gardener, giving the produce to friends and family. He enjoyed spending time with family and doing the activities that they were involved in. He is quoted to say, “We’re in it for the long haul” and “Come on, come on.”

He is survived by his wife, Norma Steely of Blackwell, Oklahoma; four daughters, Cris Scott of Los Angeles, California, Toni Goldene Steely of Verdi, Nevada, Deborah Sills of Norman, Oklahoma, and Paula Wayman of Norman, Oklahoma; two sons, John Frederick Steely of Hemit, California, and James Franklin Steely of Payson, Arizona; seventeen grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Johnna Susan Steely Borchard; parents; grandparents; five sisters, Madeline, Velma, Cris, Thelma and Nita; and one brother, Raymond Steely.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel, Blackwell, Oklahoma, with Rev. Matt Smith, Immanuel Baptist Church, Blackwell, Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow at the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be James Steely, Dale Defner, Matt Scott, Darren Sills, Dusty Sills, Raymond Steely, and Jes Wayman.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Ed Urban, Tim Urban, Steve Evans, Cliff Fairchild, and Derry Paige.

A memorial has been established with the Oklahoma City Veterans Administration Medical Center and Wounded Warrior Project c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.