Harvey Louis Steelman “Louis or Lou” was born November 1, 1939, in Blanchard, Oklahoma, to Charlie Louis Steelman and Sudie Marie (Lenderman) Steelman. He passed February 15, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.
As a child, Louis’s family moved several times while working as sharecroppers until Charlie purchased the land that would be the family farm north of Dibble. He spent many days in the fields picking cotton and cutting broom corn.
Louis graduated from Dibble High School in 1959. He worked various jobs until he was drafted into the Army in 1963 and served in Vietnam for 13 months before returning to Ft. Sill, Okla. He married Thelma Lee in September 1966. To their union was born a son, Jeffrey Louis Steelman. Louis worked construction most of his life for Henderson Properties and then E V Cox Construction until retiring in 2009.
Besides spending time with family and friends, Louis enjoyed hunting, fishing and baseball. Louis rarely missed one of his son’s baseball games from little league through Jeff’s college years. Louis spent many evenings playing catch with his son and enjoyed helping coach little league.
He was known for his generosity in helping others. He built countless picture frames, tables, shelves and many other requested projects for family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Marie Steelman; a brother, Wayne Steelman; a sister, Willie Hall; four brothers-in-law; and two sisters-in-law.
Louis is survived by his wife of 57 years, Thelma Steelman of Dibble; son, Jeff Steelman and wife, Patti, of Alva, Okla.; sisters, Laveda Nickels of Dibble, Nadine Little and husband, Mike, of Yukon, Dessie Jones of Arkansas and Melba Orme and husband, David, of Anadarko; brother-in-law, John Hall of Lindsay; numerous nieces and nephews; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many other loved ones and friends.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Eisenhour Funeral Home Chapel in Blanchard. Burial followed in the Dibble Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard.
Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.
