James STEELE

STEELE: James (Jim) 1921 - 2007 It is with great sadness and sorrow we announce the passing of James(Jim) Steele of Nacmine. He was taken to be with his maker on June 22, 2007 with his family that he loved so dearly. Jim was born in Kirkmuirhill Lesmahagaus, Scotland on October 12, 1921 to Donald and Isabella Steele. The family immigrated to Canada in 1928 so Jim’s dad could go to work in the mines in Evansburg. In 1941 Jim married Margaret (Peggy) McKinnon. Along came three children; daughters Janet and Bonnie and one son Jimmy. Before starting his family Jim joined the Navy as a stoker in 1942, and in 1943 with an honorable discharge and came home to work in the coal mines. He stayed in the mines until they were all closed. Then he went to work at the Co-op until he retired. Jim was an avid gardener and could grow anything. Between Jim and Margaret you couldn’t find a weed anywhere. Jim was also one of the best back catchers in the valley. But he always had a rival, Walter Symowoniuk, they were always kidding back and forth who was really the best. My dad finally gave up baseball when son Jimmy started to get better than him. Jim was predeceased by his wife, in 1991, daughter in 1991, and a son in 1984. Jim is survived by his daughter Bonnie (Dale) Armstrong, sister, Jenny Boyce of Hinton, Mary McKinnon of Vegreville, 2 grand daughters; Catherine and Cassandra, also 4 nieces and 2 nephews. We can’t forget his dogs Josie and Macy.A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 29 at 2:00 P.M. from Courtney Winter’s Funeral Chapel. His cremated remains will be scattered at a later date. A reception will follow at the Nacmine Hall. Memorial Tributes in Jim’s name may be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Foundation or to the Alberta Lung Association. I would also like to thank everyone who supported us during our very hard time. Also to the Sunshine Lodge and all the staff at the Drumheller Hospital. A special thanks to Edie Langford, Joanne Anderson and Molly Flater who were always there when Jim needed someone. Words cannot express our gratitude. Thank you . Bonnie, Dale and Family.