Jack Steele

Jack Steele, 91, died Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Vigil will be at 6:00 pm, Friday, January 9, 2026; Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 10, 2026, both at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church.

Jack was born August 12, 1934, in Atchison, Kansas, to H. Glenn and Virginia (Langan) Steele.

He graduated from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in Wichita in 1952 and from Friends University in 1957, where he was active in varsity sports. Jack married Virginia Jarmer of Zenda, Kansas, in 1960.

In 1977, Jack founded and became President of Mail Marketing Plus, Inc. (MMP), a national direct marketing company based in Wichita, specializing in the tire and auto service industry. Over time, MMP produced direct mail advertising at least once for all 1,700 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. company-owned stores across the U.S.

In earlier years, Jack was a sports writer at The Wichita Eagle/Beacon, the first Executive Director of the Sedgwick County Chapter of The National Foundation/March of Dimes, Recruitment Coordinator for St. Francis School of Nursing, and producer of trade shows, including the Wichita Industrial Trade Show. He was a finalist in 1965 for the Wichita Jaycees “Outstanding Young Man of the Year” award. And, in 1968, he conceived, organized and chaired “A Salute to the Stars & Stripes” at Lawrence Stadium. Throughout the years, Jack met and interviewed Dr. Jonas Salk, Ronald Reagan, Sam Walton, Stan Musial, John Kennedy, and Jack Dempsey.

Jack was a member of the Wichita Knights of Columbus Council 691, and a Columbia Assembly Fourth Degree Knight. He was very patriotic and pro-life, and very proud of his family.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; parents, Glenn and Virginia Steele; brother, Eugene Steele; sister, Mary Hardick; brother-in-law, Mark Hardick; sister, Sally Noll; brother-in-law, Marvin Noll; sister-in-law, Carolyn Steele; great-grandchild, Hannah Steele; nephew, Dave Hardick.

Jack is survived by his children, Linda (Mike) Thom, Janet (Dwain) Parker, Eric Steele, Valerie (Michael) Ma, Sarah Steele; grandchildren, Alexandra, Harrison, Sam, Alaina, Trent, Nathan, Garrett, Joseph, Maleiha, Ella, Madeleine, Amani; step-grandchildren, Malissa and Matthew; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth Steele; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kansans for Life, 7016 W. Harry St., Wichita, 67209; A Better Choice, 3007 E. Central, Wichita, 67214; Alzheimer’s Association, Central & Western Kansas, 535 W. Douglas, Ste. 150, Wichita, KS 67213.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.