Lawrence Eugene "Buddy" Steele (88) of Edgewood

Lawrence Eugene “Buddy” Steele, age 88, of Edgewood, Illinois passed away at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2019 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 6 at Pagel Funeral Homes in Edgewood, Illinois with Military Rites observed. There will be a one-hour viewing prior to the service. Jim Giffin will be officiating. Burial will be at Edgewood Cemetery in Edgewood, Illinois. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Masonic Rites will be observed at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Buddy was born on May 31, 1931 in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Hubert and Ina (Robinson) Steele. He was active duty in the United States Marine Corps from February 7, 1952 to February 6, 1954. He was a member of the American Legion for 65 years. He was a member of both the Mason #0217 and Edgewood #0484 Masonic Lodges, Effingham VFW, Old National Trail Two Cylinder Club Illinois Chapter 4, AMVETS, National Box Car Association, Forty and Eight Veteran’s organization. He loved gardening, collecting different memorabilia, attending auctions, and spending time with his family, friends, and cats.

He is survived by four nieces, Barbara Steele, Tanya Beitz, Ardel Huntington, Sandy Smith; Libby and David Ramsey, Joetta and Ron Connell; numerous great-nieces and nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Ina Steele; his lifelong companion, Lola Hayes; two brothers, R.T. and Ardnel Steele; sister, Mary Alice Steele; nephew, Robert Steele.