James K. Steele

James K. “Jim” Steele, 84, of Hopewell, PA passed away Monday, September 30, 2024, at home.

He was born November 29, 1939, in Hopewell, to the late Samuel E. and Rosetta (Shaffer) Steele.

He is survived by a son, Samuel W. Steele, of Hopewell, and a daughter, Pamela J. (Bryan Zimmerman) of Everett; four grandchildren: Nicholas Steele (Jean) of Cheswick, PA; Erin Reese of Hopewell; Taylor Dupree (Chris) of Bedford, PA; and Samantha Steele and significant other, Caleb Vuocolo, Lancaster; and seven great-grandchildren: Nicole, Ryder, Lynden, Isaac, Beau, Naomi and Selah.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son James “Jimmy” Steele, Jr.; brothers Donnie Steele of Hopewell and Gene Steele of Robbinsville, NJ; and a sister, Betty Lucile Steele of Hopewell.

Jim was a 1957 graduate of Robert P. Smith School. He was in the logging business all his life, working early on for his father at Samuel E. Steele and Sons Lumber Company in Hopewell, which he and Donnie later operated together as Steeles’ Lumber Company in Riddlesburg, PA. After Donnie’s retirement, he partnered with his son, Sam, in the business until it was destroyed by fire in 2004.  He also formerly owned and operated Steele’s Tavern in Hopewell, which his parents had owned in his youth.

In previous years he was an avid bowler, often landing in the 200 club in his leagues at Chalybeate and later the Bedford Elks, and in his younger days he played adult-league softball. But his true passion was shooting pool. He trained many novice players over the decades, teaching them to be his worthy opponents. He was once and for many years the player everyone wanted to beat, and he remained a force to be reckoned with on the table until the very end. He worked hard and played hard. He will be remembered for his infectious laugh, his penchant for a cold beer, his competitive nature, and his skill at beating the odds. Throughout his travels in life, he never found any place that appealed to him more than what the Broad Top had to offer.

Family and friends will be received at Akers Funeral Home, 299 Raystown Road, Everett, PA on Friday, October 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Yellow Creek Reformed Cemetery, St. Paul’s Church Road, Hopewell, PA.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralhome.com

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