Paul D. Steele, 99, of Overlook Village, Moline, ascended to the waiting arms of his Lord, Jesus Christ, December 21, 2025.  He took his final breath this side of heaven in the loving embrace of Andrea Hansen, his precious granddaughter.

Paul was born on July 25, 1926, in rural Browning, Missouri to Edward V. Steele and Ivis Sargent Steele, who passed away when her only son was a tender nine years of age.  This singular tragedy informed the rest of his life.

Although his father would move the family to Moline where factory work offered a more prosperous life, Paul's heart never left the rolling countryside of his youth.  The simple beauty of untouched nature, horses, and livestock and trees, never failed to take his breath and capture his awe.

As a high school student Paul worked at Hickey Brothers and became expert at concocting egg creams, phosphates, and floats, as he joyfully recounted through the decades – all in an effort to purchase his first car, a black Ford coupe of unknown "vintage."

As World War II witnessed America's entrance into the conflict, Paul, like thousands of his peers, answered the call to military duty in U.S. Navy, but not before finding his sweetheart and life-long love, Jerri Taber (Moline.)  After his honorable service stateside, the couple married and shared sixty-six years together in Moline until Jerri went to heaven December 19, 2013.  They raised a flock of four beloved daughters in sweet mid-century America, and gained many sons as marriage and 2 more generations filled the family tree.

In the workaday world, Paul was an accountant at Moline Body Company for over 40 years, and after its closure, became a contract specialist at the Rock Island Arsenal's procurement office.

The facts of Paul's biography don't reveal the man as readily as his hearty handshake with friends and strangers alike; his genial smile and impeccable manners, his genuine interest in people and his impish humor.  All his relationships, passions, and interests were long-held and deeply rooted in the land and in love of God and family.

A lover of horses and the great American West, Paul was an ardent fan of Zane Grey, The Virginian, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza.  He admired the development and progress of building projects and architecture.  Always eager, always engaged and appreciative, Paul inspired gratitude and faith in both young and old.  He built relationships instead of empires.

Paul's abiding love for Jesus Christ and His church, his devotion to the holy Scriptures and prayer, his enduring love for his wife and children defined his character and underscores his legacy.  Truly, it has been a "Wonderful Life."

Paul is survived by his daughters, Paula Bulens (Jim) of Moline, Marla Guerrero (Larry) of Franklin, TN, Claudia Steele Lotz (Shlomo Danieli) of Sedona, AZ, and Jana Allen of Wake Forest, N.C.  He was blessed with 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and uncounted other young people he "grandfathered," especially the staff of Overlook Village.

Visitation for Paul will be 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Van Hoe Funeral Home, 1500 6th Street, East Moline.  Funeral service will be 11:00 am on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Homewood Evangelical Free Church, 3303 60th Street, Moline, IL.  Burial will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island at 1:00 pm.  Memorials may be made to Homewood Evangelical Free Church, Moline.