Louis M. Steakley, age 91, of Morley, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at home surrounded by his children. He was born February 7, 1926 in Bigelow, Arkansas and raised in Lepanto, the son of Jim "Houston" and Lillie (Martin) Steakley. Louis honorably served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. He was stationed in the South Pacific in the Amphibious Branch on the troop transport ship LST 224. Louis saw the American flag being raised at Iwo Jima. In his last years he often talked of his time in the servicea defining experience in his life. During his recovery from war injuries while at a California naval hospital, he met Ethel Hinkle, a nurse and Michigan girl. He frequently recalled his first look at Ethel from afar. "I saw her and I knew that was the woman I wanted to marry." Three months later on April 13, 1946 they eloped to Arizona. Together they lived in California for another year before Ethel persuaded Louis to move to Michigan. "I wouldnt want to keep her so far from her Momma," hed say in a voice that still carried in lilting notes the gentle drawl of the place of his birth. He spent the rest of his life in Michiganalways remembering Arkansas and missing its heat and his family that still lived there. When the young couple arrived in Michigan they settled in Grand Rapids where they raised their family. Louis was employed by General Motors for seven years. He then began his 30-year career as a carpenter for the Michigan Home for Veterans in Grand Rapids where he became head of the carpentry shop. Outside of work he shared in the ownership of a single-engine Cessna and flew like the devil. In 1980, a few years before Louis retired, he and Ethel moved to Ethels familys Centennial farm in Morley. For many years Louis raised a herd of Beefalo and farmed the land. Later he became a regular at Udderly Delcious. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Morley American Legion Post 554. Louis is survived by three children, Susan Serine Steakley (Nancy Brockway) of Boston, Massachusetts, Sally (Drew) Steakley-Condon of Hudsonville, and Stephen (Barbara) Steakley of Grand Rapids; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews including Judy Franks and her husband Jimmy of Arkansas and his nephews Kenneth Sullins, also of Arkansas, and his nephew Louis Sullins and his wife Pat of Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his wife Ethel Steakley who died on August 10, 2014. His sister Bessie Steakley, and brother Leo Steakley, and his niece Pat Sullins, also preceded him in death. Funeral services will take place 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 3, 2017 at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Roger Bennett officiating. The family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2nd at the funeral home. Louis will be laid to rest at Aetna Township Cemetery in Morley. Animals were immensely fond of Louis and he was immensely fond of them. Louis also liked to lend a hand, to make peoples lives better. Memorial contributions may be made in Louis name to Michigan Search and Rescue at Michigansar.org. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family by clicking the guestbook tab at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Funeral Service Sunday, September 3, 2017 02:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307