Constance Marie Steele,72, of Galesburg, died Thursday, September 15, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois after a short battle with cancer.
She was born March 14, 1950 in Galesburg, the daughter of Roy B. and Marjorie M. (Beard) Kisler. Connie was reared and educated in Galesburg, graduating from Costa Catholic High School in 1968. She married Jerry E. Hopson on May 29, 1969 in Lawton, Oklahoma and they lived in Burlington, Iowa where she worked at Winegard Company until 1975 when Jerry died. She quit working to take care of their family.
Connie later married James L. Steele on June 6, 1977 in the Quad Cities. They moved to Federal Way, Washington where she did office work while completing some college. In June 1992 they moved to Duluth, Minnesota where James died 30 days later. Connie returned to Galesburg to be close to family. She worked as the office manager at OSF Prompt Care from 1997 until her retirement in 2013.
Family was the most important thing in her life, nursing her mother and sister in her home until their deaths. Connie was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Ladies of Mary, and Knox County Right to Life. She enjoyed working in her yard tending to flower garden, painting, crocheting, and playing computer games.
Connie is survived by her sister-in-law, Christie Kisler of Galesburg; one daughter, Dixie L. Gartman of Lexington, Kentucky; a stepdaughter, Kimberley A. Steele of Monmouth, Illinois; two stepsons, James L. Steele of Monmouth and Anthony S. Steele of Rochelle, Illinois, and was a “great” aunt to Christie’s grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; both spouses, Jerry and James; two sisters, Carol and Judy; and a brother, Jerry Kisler.
Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg with the funeral mass to follow. Father William Miller will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Galesburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
