Rev. Philip Paul Steele

Rev. Philip Paul Steele, 83, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Born February 17, 1937, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Alice Eugenia (Bishop) and Philip Hoyt Steele. Rev. Steele ministered to many in the community and served as pastor of many United Methodist churches around Southwest Michigan. He was very active in area Masonic Lodges over the years.

He married his soul mate of 61 years Nancy on June 20, 1957, at the Mattawan Congregational Church and they honeymooned in Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  Together they had three children Mark, Melody and Genipher.

He will be dearly missed for his love of life, music and his family.  Left to celebrate his memory are his children: Mark Steele, Melody (Scott Pike) Steele-Martin, Genipher (Kurt) Oswalt; and grandchildren: Rhiannon (Jake) Norvell, Katelyn Hope Martin and Dario Canine Companions for Independence Service Dog, Brandyn (Kristin Rice) Steele-Aldag and Miranda Jacqueline Martin; and great-grandson, Shadow Beebe. Also surviving are six of his seven siblings: Naomi (Lawrence)Franklin, Gwen (Wendell) Nielson, Linda Holdeman, Becky (John) Terry, Yvonne (David) Richards, and Harry (Stephanie) Steele, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, parents, son-in-law, Alfred Martin Jr, brother, James Steele and Brother-in-law, Jay Holdeman.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Milwood United Methodist Church 3919 Portage Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. James Morgan officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. The Portage Road exit is closed at I-94, please seek an alternative route. For those who will be attending and not yet vaccinated, face coverings will be required. Interment will follow the service for both Philip and Nancy at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mattawan. On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, there will be a Masonic service held with food and fellowship at the Mattawan Masonic Lodge, 25347 Front Street, Mattawan, at 11:00 a.m.

Donations may be made to The Mattawan Lodge Masonic Scholarship Fund.  Mattawan Lodge #268 c/o Kevin Perry 826 Wickford Drive Kalamazoo, MI  49009 or The Milwood United Methodist Church.

He was active in Masonic work with the following Masonic Chronology:

Mattawan Lodge No.268 F.&A.M., 1958 Life Member

Worshipful Master, 1966, 1972 & 1987

Michigan Lodge of Research & Information No. 1, F.&A.M., 1984

Charter member as Jr. Warden

Worshipful Master, 1968 & 1989

Tiler, 1990-1993

Grand Lodge of Michigan, F.&A.M.

Service and Education Committee, 1972-1978, 1981-?

Masonic Development Committee, 1980-1981

Board of General Purposes, District No.11, 1992-?

Paw Paw Chapter No.34, R.A.M. 1961 Life Member

Excellent High Priest, 1977, 1978 & 1979

Order of High Priesthood, 1977

Kalamazoo Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., Plural member, 1973 Life Member

Excellent High Priest, 1992 & 1993

Grand Chapter of Michigan, R.A.M.

Grand Chaplain, 1975-1981

Education Committee, 1975-1980

York Rite Cooperation Committee, 1980-1981

Presented Zerubbabel Apron for Membership, 1991

Kalamazoo Council #63, R.&S.M. 1967

Thrice Illustrious Master, 1977

Chaplain, 1978-1989

Michigan Council of T.I.M.s, 1977

Grand Council of Michigan, R.&S.M.

Grand Chaplain, 1991

Peninsular Commandery #8, K.T., 1961

Soloist, 1972-1978

Eminent Commander, 1982

Battle Creek Commandry No.33, K.T.

Honorary Member, Easter Day 1994

Grand Commandery of Michigan, K.T.

Past Commanders Association, 1994

Western Michigan York Rite College No.10, Knighted 1975

Governor, 1986-1987

Order of the Purple Cross from the Sovereign College of North America

Michigan Priory No.22, Knights York Cross of Honor, 1986 Life Member

Valley of Grand Rapids, A.A.S.R. 1967

Orator, C.W. MacKenzie 33rd degree class

Member R & R Committee, 10 years

Most Wise Master Robinson charter rose Croix, 1984 & 1985

Soloist & Master of Chorister, 1987-2007

Membership Committee, 1994

MSA 1989

33rd Degree 1993

Michigan Council of Deliberation, A.A.S.R., 1980

Meritorious Service Award, 1989

33rd Degree Honorary Member of the Supreme Council A.A.S.R.,

Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S. of A., 1994

Royal Order of Scotland, 1988

Saladin Shrine Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., 1972 Life Member

Chaplain, 1978-?

Kalamazoo Shrine Club, 1973

Mattawan Chapter #192, O.E.S. Life Member 1972

Schoolcraft Corinthian Chapter #123 O.E.S. Life Member 1967

Charter Member

President, 1980 & 1981

C.W. MacKenzie Scottish Rite Club

Charter Member

President, 1980 & 1981

Kalamazoo Valley Council #437 Allied Masonic Degrees

Founding Member 2004

Sovereign Master 2004