Victoria Marie “Vic” Steele, 70, of Odin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, friends and much love Monday, March 31, 2025. She was born on July 4, 1954, in Centralia, and her birthdate truly suited her “firecracker” personality. Vic was the daughter of her beloved parents, Virgil and Barbara (Tillman) Steele.
Survivors that will remember how Vic changed the lives for the better of everyone she met include her dear siblings, Robert and Sandy Steele of Johnston City, Sharon and Mike Reed of Centralia, Jane and Joe Laffoon of Odin, David and Mimi Steele of Salem, Marcia and Gary Pearce of North Carolina, Cindy and Tony Perkins of Odin, and Ann and Denny O’Neill of Joliet; precious fur babies, Foxy, Millie, Susie, Bandit, Fred, Booger, and Black Jack; special aunts and uncles, Carl and Lula Steele, Tony Tillman, Mary Ellen Holt, and Marlene Tillman; best friends, Ruth Ann, Mary, Sheila, JoAnn, Brenda, Shawn, Kent, Perry, Danny and so many other friends that were wonderful encouragers and supporters; and several loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Vic is preceded in death by both of her parents, Virgil and Barbara Steele; brother, Rick Steele; cousins, Doug Steele and Mariann Wrone; and her special friend, Brenda Brough.
Vic retired from Marathon Pipeline as an operator after more than 30 years of devoted service. Vic was amazing, one of a kind, unforgettable, and dearly loved by everyone that met her. Her compassionate heart led her to work diligently for the rights and care of all animals. She was a huge part of animal rescue, opening her home to foster pets until they found their forever homes. Vic was the lady to call if you had a lost pet, as she would search night and day until your fur baby was found. She continually placed others’ needs above her own, serving food pantries and assisting at funeral dinners. Vic enjoyed working on tractors and getting them running smoothly. Not one to let grass grow under her feet, Vic was rarely found sitting still, but she would find a comfortable seat while watching Westerns and women’s basketball on television. She knew all there was to know about horses and animals and they were all spoiled by her daily. She loved to travel, visiting Spain, Germany, traveling many states to visiting family and friends, including the memorable cross-country trip to California. Vic liked to feed the birds and check out which new songbird was visiting her feeder. She was a natural caregiver, had a sense of humor that could keep you laughing through any trial, she always took time to truly listen, she never met a stranger, she loved her family and friends fiercely and appreciated all the little things that made her life amazing. Vic will be missed dearly but forever remembered for her sassiness, her positivity, and her beautiful, winning smile she shared with all.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2025, at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Sandoval with Father Godfrey Mullen, OSB officiating. Interment will follow at Phelps-Steele Cemetery in rural Sandoval. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time to offer words of comfort and support to her family from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the mass on Monday at the church. The family will provide cards for sharing favorite memories and stories that can be filled out during the visitation and collected at the luncheon at St. Lawrence Parish Hall or mail to the family. Memorials may be made in Vic’s honor to the 2nd Chance Rescue of Fayette County or St Jude Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval. Online condolences and memories of Vic may be shared with her family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Day Macz Funeral Home is privileged to be assisting the family of Vic Steele with arrangements.
