STEELEVILLE - Nadine Melba Steele, age 98, was welcomed home by her Heavenly Father on March 17, 2019 at Three Springs Lodge, Chester, Illinois. Born February 1, 1921, in Percy, Illinois, her parents were Hazel and John Hadley. She attended the Percy School and graduated from Campbell Hill High School. In 1940 Nadine married Charles R. Steele. He preceded her in death September 5, 1999.  They celebrated 59 years together.

Nadine had a life well-lived. A true railroader's wife, she lived in Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi and Alabama as her husband was transferred by the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Always generous with her time and big heart, she took care of a special needs child of working parents and was instrumental in discovering the child was not totally deaf.

She was known for her delicious red velvet cakes and cherry chocolates.

Always open to adventure, Nadine and her husband traveled to Europe and the Far East. When their daughter moved to Alaska, they made six trips there ranging from the Arctic north to a tiny rainforest island close to Kodiak Island. In Alaska she rode a sled pulled by a snow machine to a whaling camp on the Arctic Ocean ice. She ate seal, caribou and polar bear and participated in an Eskimo blanket toss.

Nadine's church home was the Steeleville Baptist Church. She was a past member of the Steeleville Nutrition Center and greatly enjoyed its activities.  At the Manor at Craig Farms and Three Springs Lodge, she rarely missed any activity. Her wii bowling team placed first in a regional tournament.

She is survived by her daughter Judith (Donald) Leinberger, Mesquite, Nevada; one sister Jewel Lohr, Mt. Carroll, Illinois; three brothers: Arthur Hadley, DeKalb, Illinois; Kenneth (FloAnn) Hadley, Sycamore, Illinois; Robert Hadley, Mt. Carroll, Illinois; two grandsons: Daniel (Alice) Leinberger, Bethel, Alaska; Marcus (Elena) Leinberger, Kodiak, Alaska; twelve great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Nadine in death were her husband Charles, her parents, brothers John Hadley and Sam Hadley, a sister Shirley Hadley and a grandson, Morgan Aukongak.

Funeral service will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville with Pastor Scott Foshie officiating.  Burial will follow at Percy Village Cemetery.  Visitation will be Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 11:00 to 1:00 at the Wilson Funeral Home, Steeleville, Illinois.  Memorial donations may be made to Steeleville Baptist Church Building Fund or Steeleville American Legion.