STEELE, William J - WWI - KIA - Putnam

Greencastle, Ind Sept 23 – The body of William J. Steele of Bainbridge, Ind who was killed in the fall of the Dirigible ZR-2 at Hull, England several weeks ago, arrived in Greencastle yesterday.  It was taken to the home of his parents in Bainbridge and funeral services were held this afternoon at 2 o’clock the Rev. WE Eckhart, pastor of the Bainbridge Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle. The American Legion will provide an escort and firing squad.  Mr. Steele was chief aviation machinist’s mate. He joined the Navy in 1918 and was sent to England with the remainder of the crew which was to have brought the ZR-2 back to the United States.  Prior to joining the Navy, Mr. Steele was mechanic in the plant of the Apperson Automobile Company in Kokomo.  He was born in Greencastle and attended school in Bainbridge.  Mrs. Steele is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Steele; his wife, Mrs. Lema Steele and two children, Claire and Julian, all of Bainbridge and three brothers, Harry who is residing in Indianapolis; Jesse, who is attending DePauw University and Lawrence, a pupil at the HS in Bainbridge.