Edward L. Steele

Edward L. Steele, 87, of Corvallis, Ore., formerly of Columbia, Mo., died Saturday, May 14, 2016, in Corvallis.

He was born Aug. 26, 1928, in St. Louis, Mo., to Robert E. and Margaret (Levens) Steele.

Mr. Steele graduated from Nevada High School in Nevada, Mo., in 1946. He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and received a bachelor's degree from the School of Journalism in 1950.

He was a member of the southwestern territorial advertising staff at Sears Roebuck and Company, in Dallas, Texas, and in 1951 was named advertising manager for the Sears retail store in San Angelo, Texas.

In 1952, Mr. Steele was employed by Nevada Publishing Company as advertising manager of the Nevada Daily Mail and Herald. He was past president of the Missouri Advertising Managers Association.

On Feb. 1, 1966, he was appointed director of advertising sales and marketing for Missouri Press Service in Columbia. He retired in 1993.

A graduate of the U.S. Army Information School and the Command and General Staff College, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 30 years, retiring in 1979 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a member of the American Legion.

Mr. Steele was a member of the board of directors of the Missouri Press Association Foundation.

In July 2014, he moved to Corvallis, Ore., to be with his family.

He is survived by his brother, Robert E. Steele, M.D., of Corvallis, Ore.; two nephews, Edward S. Steele of Portland, Ore., and Thomas M. Steele, M.D., of Corvallis, Ore.; niece, Linda K. Steele of Boynton Beach, Fla.; four grandnephews, Brian and Henry Steele, and Jayden and Colton Lavoie; and grandniece, Savannah Steele.

A private graveside with military honors will be held at Newton Burial Park, in Nevada, Mo., at a later date.

Contributions in Mr. Steele's memory may be made to the Missouri Press Foundation with notation that it be directed to the Edward L. Steele Scholarship Fund and may be mailed to the Missouri Press Association, 802 Locust St. Columbia, Mo., 65201-4888.

McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis, Ore., is handling arrangements.

Memories and condolences for the family can be left at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.