Ruth Carole Steele

Ruth Carole Steele (nee Johnson) passed away May 29, 2026 in St. John, Indiana, with her close family by her side, following a long battle with colon cancer.

Mrs. Steele was born September 1, 1945 in Providence, Rhode Island to Hope (nee Brown) Johnson on the last full day of World War II. When her father, Jack Johnson, returned from the service the family moved to his hometown of Chicago, eventually settling in Dolton.

Mrs. Steele began what would become a tradition of service with her involvement in Job’s Daughter, where she served as an honor queen. 

She had all her schooling in Dolton and graduated from Thornridge High School in 1963. She attended Thornton Junior College for two years, studying teaching and art before entering the workforce. 

She married Richard “Rick” Steele in 1968 and lived briefly in North Carolina while he was in the Air Force. Returning to the Chicago area, she had her own ceramic studio before she began working as a bookkeeper and accountant, eventually starting her own firm doing taxes, bookkeeping and estate planning. 

She remained active in service and charity work at the various churches she became involved with, helping with the homeless shelter and with Rick going on mission trips to Central America. Their travels over the years also took them to Mexico, England, France and Russia, as well as much of the United States.

In retirement she became a pastor’s wife after her husband’s ordination, serving churches in Gackle and Minot, North Dakota.

She is survived by her husband Rick, sons, Roger (Jynx) of Dyer and Ryan; grandchildren, Jame, Hope and Rock, of Dyer; sister, Nancy (Jerry) Susnis of Wheatfield; brothers, Steve (Mona) and Brett, both of Woodridge, Illinois; numerous relatives and friends including longtime friends, affectionately known as “Dolton Darlings.”

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Allen.

A visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 2201 Azalea Drive, Highland, Indiana, followed at 2 p.m. by a brief prayer service and Communion.

Cremation Service entrusted to Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman, Road Highland, IN.

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