Wesley "Wes" Harlen Steed, Sr.

Wesley Harlen “Wes” Steed, Sr., age 72, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 7:48 A.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at his home in Centralia, Illinois with his loving family by his side. He was born on May 13, 1947, in Alton, Illinois, the son of Oby Harlen and Mary Pauline (Cranmer) Steed. He married Linda L. Hutchinson on August 28, 1998, at the Moose Park in Centralia, Illinois, and she survives him in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to his wife of 21 years, Wes is survived by his children, Ronald Steed of Missouri, Marvela “Angel” Helmkamp of Granite City, Illinois, Wesley Harlen Steed, Jr. of Mount Vernon, Illinois, David Steed, Shelley Rose of Centralia, Illinois, Crystal Rainey and husband Daniel of Springfield, Illinois and Christopher Ray of Centralia, Illinois; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Carol Davis and husband Darrell of Wood River, Illinois and brother, Jerry Lynn Steed of Eminence, Missouri.

Wes was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Wes was of the Christian faith. Earlier in life, he loved to Open Reel Fish and then Fly Fish with Rooster Tails with worms to go after the big catch of Crappies and Bass. He enjoyed a good round of golf out on the links. He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was known to have a special place in his heart for children, looking forward to driving his students and seeing the children in costume during the Kiddie Parade.

Wes started his trail of being a dedicated member of the Centralia Moose Lodge 1219 in Centralia, Illinois on April 3, 1993, and 6 months later, he became a member of the Legion. He was elected Governor of the Lodge from 1999 until 2001. He was elected District President and then President of the Moose Legion. Wes was elevated to the Fellowship Degree in 2002, as a result of his volunteer work at the Lodge and his involvement in numerous community activities, including Shop with A Cop, Food Drives and Moose Golf Tournaments. Wes was co-chairman of the Centralia Moose Children’s Parade from 1996 until 2019. He was also involved with the collection of donations at the donor’s corner for both the Children’s Parade and the Centralia Halloween Parade. As a result of his continued support of the Moose Principles, he was elevated to the Moose Fraternity’s highest degree, Pilgrim Degree, on May 23, 2009.

Wes was a bus driver and throughout his 13 years of service to the students, he drove for the Centralia School District, Durham Bus Service and West Bus Service. He was a car repairman for 35 years at Around The World Auto Service in Central City, Illinois. Earlier in life, he was a machinist with the Illinois Central Railroad for 9 years and 8 months. As a machinist with Gulf, Mobile and Ohio railroad, he was stationed in Venice, Illinois, Saint Louis, Missouri, Carbondale, Illinois and Centralia, Illinois. Wes attended the Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois, for an education to enter the ministry. He graduated with the Roxana Community High School’s “Class of 1965” in Roxana, Illinois. He lived in Centralia, Illinois from 1984 until 2020 and previously from 1968 until 1974.

A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Wesley Harlen “Wes” Steed, Sr. and Mrs. Linda Lou Steed will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at the Centralia Moose Family Center 1219 in Centralia, Illinois, with Pastor Michael Periman officiating.  A Memorial Service will be held by the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1219 and Centralia Women of the Moose Chapter 223 during the Celebration of Life Services for Mr. and Mrs. Steed.  Friends may visit with Mr. and Mrs. Steed’s family from 11:00 A.M. until the time of services at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at the Centralia Moose Family Center 1219 in Centralia, Illinois.  As a result of the current health situation, all those visiting with the family will be asked to wear masks and observe social distancing.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Steed’s memory to Mooseheart and Mrs. Steed’s memory to Centralia City School’s Libraries and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois, where you may call (618) 532-7321 for additional arrangements.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Mr. Steed’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

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