Opal Steele

We have lost a true angel. Opal Helen (McCleary) Steele passed away February 6, 2026, at the age of 101. The memories she created will go on forever. We will remember her amazing kindness, selfless nature, curiosity, and sharp mind (that continued to the very end).

Opal was born April 14, 1924, to Robert McCleary and Bertha (Hamilton) McCleary in Marshall, IL. She grew up on the family’s farm, was their sixth child, and had nine brothers and sisters plus two stepbrothers; all preceded her in death.

Opal grew up during the Great Depression. She attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse, walking there and home every day. In order to go to high school, Opal lived at the home of one of her teachers and worked in exchange for room and board. These early experiences helped forge Opal into the strong woman she became, able to do and handle anything.

Opal met her first husband, Woodrow Stark, in Sunday school class at their church. They were married in July of 1942 and settled in Otsego, MI. Soon Ronny (Ron) Stark was born in August of 1943. Woodrow was drafted into World War II and gave his life for his country in Italy on November 15, 1944.

Opal and Ron remained in Otsego, where she worked as a welder on oil filters, in a meat market, in restaurants, and in grocery stores to support herself and her son. A family who shopped where Opal worked introduced her to Wesley (Wes) Steele, a World War II veteran who’d just returned home.

Wes and Opal were married August 6, 1949, and were just shy of 75 years together when he preceded her in death at the age of 100. In addition to Ron (Judy), they had four children together: Steve (Laurie), Simone, Melissa (Tom), and Gregory.

The couple also had several grandchildren: Norman Stark (Sandy), David Stark, Becky Albrecht (Bob), Shelley Steele (John), Davis Hack, Ashley Bowen (Brian), and Amanda Mangus (Garrett). Her step grandchildren included Lisa Wedge (Doug), David Levett (Julie), and Kayla Baynton (Jeffrey).

Wes and Opal were graced with nine great grandchildren, Megan, Allyson, Katelyn, Xavier, Gavin, Meredith, Brycen, Jaiden, and Maria, and many nieces and nephews. She deeply loved her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Opal was a life member of the Interlochen Woman’s Club, joining in 1963, the Club gave her much joy and companionship over the years. She was one of the founding members of the Mamenesewong Garden Club, along with friend Mildred Webb, and for 26 years was a member of the Interlochen Tops Club. Opal liked to help people and volunteer, particularly with Redeemer Lutheran Church’s food bank.

Opal was resourceful and talented, her hobbies included sewing her own clothes, caning chairs, making dried flower arrangements and pinecone wreaths, and canning food. She was known as an excellent cook, relatives and her children’s friends loved eating anything made by Opal.

Her family would like to thank the amazing staff at Munson Medical Center, The Villa, and the Munson Hospice House for taking such great care of her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Interlochen Woman’s Club or Munson Hospice House. A small celebration of life will be held on May 16th from 2-4 pm at the Golden Fellowship Hall in Interlochen (9700 Riley Rd).

Opal always said, “Remember, take one day at a time,” and she enjoyed the “One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus,” song until her final days.

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