James Leo Steele resided in Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2009, at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith. He was born January 16, 1922 in Sebastian County to the late Ephrium G. Steele and Ida Mae (Hobbs) Steele. He was 87 years old.

He is also preceded in death by his wife, Iva Pauline (Tate) Steele and one son, Dennis Steele.

He was a retired linesman for PG&E in North Central California, was a WWII Army Veteran and was a Protestant.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2009, at the Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with the Rev. Curtis Smithson officiating. Burial will be at Tate Cemetery, located northwest of Charleston "With Military Honors" under the direction of the Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

He is survived by one step-son, Don Grissom of Valencia, California; one daughter, Carol Jean Noland of Phoenix, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Christine Steele of Lavaca; several brothers & sisters; three grandchildren, Kirsty Westbrook, Jason Grissom and Seth Steele; six great grandchildren.

Pall Bearers will be Jamie Young, Justin Tate, Jimmy Fitzgerald, Seth Steele, Kirsty Westbrook, and David Harris.

Family will visit with friends 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.