| Cpt. Joshua E. Steele United States Army KIA 17 June 2007, Afghanistan |
| Tributes Memorial Page Established by-Gina M. Steele Joshua Eric "Josh" Steele 1980 - 2007 Captain Joshua Eric "Josh" Steele, 26, of North Henderson, Illinois, died Sunday, June 17, 2007, near Panjway, Afghanistan, when the humvee in which he was a passenger detonated an improvised explosive device. Captain Steele was born July 8, 1980, in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of R. Philip and Paula Weir Steele. They survive of North Henderson, Illinois. Also surviving are brother, Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Stephen (Christine) Steele, of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; sisters, Gina Steele, of San Francisco, California, and Army First Lieutenant Lucinda (Nicholas) Piotrowski, of Fort Sill, Oklahoma; grandparents, Harold and Madonna Steele, of Sherwood, Ohio; and nieces, Stephanie, Heather and Courtney Steele and Abigail Piotrowski. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Paul and Dixie Weir, and one nephew, Jason Steele. He was raised on a farm near North Henderson, Illinois, and attended Immaculate Conception Parochial School in Monmouth, Illinois, and Alexis Community School in Alexis, Illinois. After graduating from high school at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri, in 1998, he received his degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla magna cum laude in 2002 where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the Society of Military Engineers. From an early age, Josh wanted to be a soldier and defend his country. As a teenager, he had told his mother that "he was willing to give his life for his country." He was commissioned in the Army in 2002 and was stationed at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, assigned to the 5th and later the 35th Engineering Battalions. He was previously deployed in Iraq and the Republic of Georgia before being sent to Afghanistan in January 2007. Josh was incredibly intelligent and was passionate about everything he cared about. He always stood up for the things he believed in. He was protective of those he cared about, including his country, his family and especially his little sister. While Josh was often quiet, when he spoke everyone remembered what he said. He was quick witted, straightforward and very honest. Because of his passion, hard work, creativity, intensity and perfectionism, he was able to accomplish anything he set his mind to do. He enjoyed geological pursuits as well as raising and showing swine, horseback riding, hunting and life on the farm. He was a devout Catholic. He was a member of the 4-H and FFA in Alexis, Illinois; civil air patrol in Galesburg, Illinois; and was vice president of his junior class. Feb 11, 2008 SFC Rod Brewer Captain Joshua E. Steele, 26, of North Henderson, Illinois. Steele was one of three soldiers who died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on June 17, 2007. My sincere condolences to their families and friends. God Bless... Christmas in Arlington.. Rest easy, sleep well my brothers. Know the line has held, your job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell.... Joshua, You Have Not Been Forgotten.... Say, Hooah to the others up there with You... Rod. |
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