Colleen (Gearhart) Steele
Steele, Colleen (Gearhart), 76, retired Inman (Kansas) Schools, high school English teacher of 20 years, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2009. Service, 1:30 P.M., Friday, April 17, Trinity Presbyterian Church. Colleen earned her undergraduate degree from McPherson College and her Masters from Wichita State University. She was an avid bridge player, fisherman, loved reading books, traveling, and was her grandchildrens #1 sports fan. Colleen was preceded in death by her first husband, Roy I. Gearhart; son, Craig R. Gearheart; brother, John McCue and sister, Patricia Belveal. Survivors: husband, Loren Steele of the home; daughter, Rochelle (Lee) Nikkel of Goddard; son, Roy “Mac” M. (Karen) Gearhart of Easley, SC; grandchildren, Garrett and Allyssa Nikkel of Goddard and Zachary Roy Gearhart of Wichita; stepson, Michael (Janet) Steele of Wichita; step-grandchildren, Amy (Matt) Tener of Dover, DE and Dale Steele of Wichita; brothers, Jim (Nadine) McCue, Robert McCue, Will McCue, all of Hutchinson, Jerry (Connie) McCue of McPherson and Larry (Jane) McCue of Leawood; sister, Jane (Barry) Smith of Portland, OR. Memorial established with Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2258 Marigold, Wichita, KS 67204 67204. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.
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Roy ‘Mac’ and Family, I am incredibly sorry to hear of your loss. Over the years I have forgotten the names and faces of many of my teachers but not Mrs. Gearhart, she was a favorite whom has come to mind many times throughout my life. She gave me my moment of Inman fame in a little play called ‘Terror in the Suburbs’, and who could forget the books she had us read in our current movie novels class? And then of course there always was English. Be assured if you notice my punctuation skills it is a product of my bad memory, not of her teaching! The picture of her in the paper is just as I remember her with that great smile and enjoyment of life that she brought into every day. She touched many lives and I’m sure that I’m not the only one who would say that she will always have a special place in my heart and I will always remember her with great fondness. What a great Lady! God Bless your Family, Lena (Larson) Allison
Colleen was someone I looked forward to seeing at family reunions. She greeted us with a smile and was always willing to tell a tale on her brothers and sisters if she couldn’t goad them into telling it first. She kept saying that she couldn’t keep track of the family anymore. But then she would turn around and be able to tell me who the children belonged to and when their birthdays were, and most of the time, how they did in their last ballgame. We laughed a lot. And she adored her sister, Jane. I wish I could remember it all and keep it in a safe place to pull out later. She was such a special person. But at least I will never forget the jokes she and Jack played on each other, pretending all the while how innocent they were. Or, to be more honest, I only know how they laughed and proclaimed their innocence as they changed the subject to all the things the other brothers and sisters had done when they were younger as if to justify whatever the last memory of oneriness had been. I remember the last time I saw her,she was telling me about Loren while we were looking at pictures of the family. I was saying that it was too bad that people hadn’t had better medical care and made choices that would have let them live longer. (I was lecturing myself.) And she said to me,’I don’t see the advantage of living a long life if you don’t enjoy the time you have here.’ I know she enjoyed her time here. But being one of the ones left behind, I wish that she would have had a little longer.
Rochelle and Lee, I was so sorry to hear your Mom had passed away. She was always so full of life. I enjoyed her classes at IHS and have great memories of putting together the school paper. I know that she will be missed very much. Know that we are thinking of you today and in the coming weeks.
To Rochelle & Lee: So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. Got me to thinking back on our days at IHS and times with your Mother. Know you will miss her dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Mr. Steele, Jim Barr contacted me to tell me that you lost your dear wife. My deepest sympathy is with you. I don’t know if you remember me or not. I am a ‘very’ former student of yours and a former Marine. May God comfort you as only He can. Jim Roberts
We were saddened to hear of Colleen’s passing. She was a great lady and she will be missed. We will always remember her watching the girls play basketball and softball, and I know the twins will remember her hugs. We feel richer for having known her, and wish to extend our deepest sympathies in your loss.
To Rochelle & Lee, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. Mrs. Gearhart was my teacher at Inman HS, and I always enjoyed her class.
Uncle Loren, I’m so happy that Colleen was able to come into your life, even for a brief time. We are all so sad for your loss. I hope all of the happy memories you have of her will help get you through this. God Bless You. Love, Angie
Loren: My family extends our condolences and prayers to you and your family in your time of loss. May God be with you