Carol A. Steele

SANDUSKY — Carol A. Steele, 75, of Sandusky, was called to be with her parents, sister Jane, and brother John, Saturday, March 10, 2018.She was born in Providence Hospital on Dec. 19, 1942, the third child of John "Ray" and Ruth Helen (Elsner) Steele. She was baptized Jan. 1943, at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Because of the boundary laws governing which Catholic Parish you belonged to, Carol went to grade school at St. Peter & Paul's Elementary through seventh grade. After a move of two blocks, she graduated from eighth grade at Holy Angels Elementary. She was a 1960 graduate of St. Mary Central Catholic High School.Carol earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Ohio Business College, graduating as valedictorian. At Holy Angels School, she was a teacher's aide until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the funds could not be used for parochial schools. She then continued for several years as a volunteer teacher's helper. She was a Brownie Leader, ground observer for the U.S. Air Force, Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Catholic Identity/Ministry Program. She retired in 2007 from the Erie County Clerk of Courts Office. She was well known for her love of genealogy, Jeopardy and Holy Angels Catholic Church, where she served as historian.Carol's life was in many ways an adventure. While shy, she knew she could summon the courage to do what needed to be done. She challenged the Sandusky and Perkins Police Departments to see the benefits of women on the force. When the Girl Scout softball teams were such a success in Perkins, she joined Betty Brady and Anna Pugh to bring softball to Sandusky's Girl Scouts. They recruited sponsors, coaches, team members and arranged practice and game times at Sandusky parks. When no women stepped up to lector and commentate at Holy Angels, she stepped up. Even though her voice did not carry well, she knew her example would encourage other women to volunteer.In 1963, Carol married Thomas R. Smith, and they had three children, Lori Coppage of Virginia, Michael (Rina) Smith of Tennessee and Debra (Ed) Chesser of Ohio. They were blessed with six grandchildren, Elizabeth (Chris) August, Rebecca (Eddie) Littlefield, Tina and Marcus Smith, and Angela and Natalie Chesser; and great-granddaughter, Olivia Littlefield. She also leaves behind her brother, James (Nanci) Steele of Illinois; three sisters, Mary Sue (Larry) Clifton of Ohio, Ruthie Williams of Arizona and Rose Steele of Ohio; numerous nieces, nephews and many close friends, especially Delores Ryan and Alison Horazy, both of Ohio.A public gathering will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. A mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 428 Tiffin Ave., Sandusky. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.Those wishing to contribute to Carol's memory may do so to Holy Angels Catholic Church, 428 Tiffin Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870, or Cancer Services of Erie County, 505 West Perkins Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870.Condolences may be shared at grofffuneralhomes.com.