Robert R. Steele

08/10/2003

Robert R. Steele, 76, of 25 South Road died Sunday at Berkshire Medical Center. He served as town assessor, constable, police officer and cemetery sexton for many years. Born in Pittsfield on Nov. 17, 1926, son of William C. and Mabel Middleton Steele, he attended schools in Peru and Hinsdale and Pittsfield High School. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Steele retired in 1991 as road superintendent for the town of Peru after many years of service. He also was employed for 19 years at Byron Weston in Dalton and had worked for Vicon Resource Recovery plant in Pittsfield and the former Pfizer lime plant in Adams. He also owned and operated Robert Steele Trucking and Excavating. He was a member and deacon of Peru Congregational Church, and a former trustee. He was also a founder of the Peru Volunteer Fire Department and helped erect the building that housed the townâ€™s first fire engine. He was master of Hinsdale Grange 19, where he had been a member for 32 years and had served as chaplain. He was a member of the Senior Citizens of Hinsdale-Peru Service Club, the AARP and the National Rifle Association. For several years, he was chairman of the American Heart Association drive for the Peru district. He was a 4-H leader for the HiWaPe 4-H club, which served Hinsdale, Washington and Peru. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and working in his yard and garden, He and his wife, the former Eleanor M. Bunt, were married July 5, 1947. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Coralie E. Pelkey and Charlene F. Steele, both of Peru; two sons, Laurin R. Steele of Rotterdam, N.Y., and Kevin W. Steele of Pittsfield; two sisters, Muriel A. Steele of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Shirley L. Hopkins of Opp, Ala.; a brother, Paul Kenneth Steele Sr. of Eton, N.C.; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Robert Steele will be conducted tomorrow at 11 at Peru Congregational Church by the Rev. Luther Pierce. Burial will follow in Peru South Cemetery. Calling hours will be today, Tuesday, from 4 to 7 at BARTLETT-WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME in Dalton. At 6, Hinsdale Grange 19 will hold a memorial service. Among survivors are his daughters-in-law, Murielle L. Steele and Francine L. Steele. A sister, June I. Hopkins, and a brother, William A. Steele Sr., predeceased him. He was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews and enjoyed helping friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Peru Congregational Church or the Peru Volunteer Fire Department, both in care of the funeral home, 525 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226.

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