James Steele

Stoughton- James A. "Jim" Steele, age 59, lost a 25-year hard-fought battle with CREST (Scleroderma) on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. His life began on St. Patrick's Day, 1952 in Normal, IL, the second child born to J. Russell and Norma Bertram Steele. He was an athlete in high school, especially tennis, but his claim to fame was knock-hockey champion of grade school summer parks/rec. An avid thespian, he graduated with high honors from University High School in 1970, MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL in 1974 (cum laude) and earned an MFA from ISU. Jim worked at the Wisdom Bridge Theater in Chicago but soon came to his senses and returned to Normal where he started his career in academic administration at ISU. In December of 1978 he and Patty Conklin started their adventure together. Jim was hired by the Department of Admissions and Records at Univ of IL - Urbana in 1986. From April 1993 to the present, Jim worked at UW-Madison, where he became an associate registrar. He enjoyed his work at the UW. He was especially proud to serve on the Academic Staff Executive Committee for the past year. Jim was a loyal Badger fan. He loved traveling, fine dining, golfing, the American Players Theater, a smooth beer, good books, bad dogs and a little black cat named Muse. Jim is survived by his wife Patty and daughters Laurel (Colin) Erskine and Meredith (Dan) Steele Heibel; his sisters Julie (Brent) Anderson and Jan Larsen; his dad Russ, as well as many nephews, nieces and other family. He was preceded in death by his mother in December, 2011. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 at Cress Funeral Home 206 W. Prospect Ave. in Stoughton, WI. Family and friends may gather from 1 to 2:30 p.m., followed by a sharing of memories. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Scleroderma Foundation.