Dale E Steeby

Dale Elbert Steeby, 91 of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully at home on November 29, 2024. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 7, 1933, to Elbert and Hettie Steeby.

In 1951, Dale graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. He was on the State Class A high school championship team for basketball two years running. He also played baseball and football for the Maroon Giants. It was there he met the love of his life Juanita “Skeet” Getz. On September 4, 1954, they were united in marriage. They began their 70 years of marriage and cherished memories raising their three daughters.

Dale graduated from Western Michigan University in 1955 with a BA in secondary education and an MA in administration in 1960. He entered the military in 1951 as ROTC cadet at WMU. He continued to serve until 1965 with the rank of Captain. Dale spent his life serving the Kalamazoo Public School family as a teacher, coach, counselor and an assistant principal. In 1970 he became the Principal at Milwood Jr. High. He served two years at South Jr. High. He retired in 1993 with 38 years of service. The Milwood Jr. High gymnasium was named Steeby Gym after years of playing basketball with his students during their lunch breaks. Because of his love for teaching and children he continued his work in education subbing part time as principal and tutor. Students remember him as The Cotton Candy Man because he frequently made it for them at school carnivals and in the classroom as a special treat.

Dale was a lifelong learner with a love of history and sports. His greatest happiness was spending time with his loving family. He was a deeply devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Dale is survived by his wife of 70 years Juanita; children Anne (Brad) Meisling, Sue (Brian) Pearsall, and Nancy (Darwin) Smith; grandchildren J.D. and Nikki Meisling, Kara and Sean Crowe, Tyler and Kelli Pearsall, Dane Pearsall, Allie Smith, Joseph Smith and Jordan Smith; great grandchildren Lily and Sydney Meisling, Elliot and Scarlet Crowe, and Beau and Wyatt Pearsall; and sisters Barbra Constant and Lois Vandermeer.

A celebration of life for Dale will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Home 3926 S. 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Dale to The American Heart Association and Loaves and Fishes.

Please visit Dale’s memorial webpage to share memories and condolences with his family at https://www.Langelands.com