Hubert N. (Hugh) Steele, 90

Hubert N. (Hugh) Steele, 90, of Coeur d’Alene, passed peacefully at the Four Seasons Assisted Living Community on Oct. 12, 2012. He was born in Marlin, Texas, to Alvin and Leora Steele, and was the last survivor of their five sons and two daughters.

Hugh came to North Idaho during World War II for training at Farragut Naval Training Station, where he met Jane O. Holman of Coeur d’Alene. The couple married in 1942 and had one son, Jim (Deb) Steele of Tualatin, Ore., two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Steele served aboard the heavy cruiser USS Canberra in the Pacific during World War II, and retired from the U.S. Navy to Coeur d’Alene after 22 years of service. After 36 years of marriage, Hugh was preceded in death by his wife Jane.

Steele held numerous offices in the Coeur d’Alene Elks Lodge, and also served on the board of Trinity Lutheran Church. He found a second career in the welding and industrial supplies business, retiring as regional manager for AL Welding Products in 1987. He married Marie O’Brien in 1982, helping out with her fashion business until Marie’s subsequent retirement. The couple was married for 29 years, living in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden. The family wishes to thank Candy and John Hunt for the gracious care they have provided to Hugh in his final years.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. Fifth St., Coeur d’Alene.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Hugh’s honor may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

Please visit Hugh’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.