Mr. John David Steelman II, 89, husband of Jean Page Byrd Steelman and a resident of Accomac, passed away surrounded by beloved family at his home, Belle Croft, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020.
Born Dec. 18, 1930, in New Jersey, and reared at Salt Grove, in Cheriton, Va., David was the only child born to the late Emory James Steelman and Charlotte Estelle Clark Steelman. Upon graduation from high school in 1948, he attended VPI as a member of the Corps for two and a half years and served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard for the next four years. Later he returned to Madison College and received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1958.
Upon his graduation from college, and for a span of sixty years, he pursued a music education career which took him to Orange County, Portsmouth, Va., and back to his beloved Eastern Shore.
In his early twenties, he became a 32nd degree Mason and remained a lifetime member. He participated with many local clubs and organizations. These affiliations helped sustain a 50-year span of the Accomack County Band and Flag Corps. He had a deep appreciation and love of all members that participated in local, state and national events and parades. He was member of Market Street United Methodist Church for many years.
In addition to his loving wife, Jean, survivors include three children, John David Steelman III and his wife, Lori, of Eastville, Elizabeth S. Perry and her husband, Bryan, of Onancock, and Michael E. Steelman and his wife, Dawn, of Cheriton; eight grandchildren, Shane Steelman (Jessica), Nikki C. Pruitt (Matt), Sutton Perry (Shannon), Sarah Beth Hamilton (Adam), Shannon Miller (James), Heather Burkhead (Daryl), Laura Page Parks (Brandon), and Michael E. Steelman (Karen); and eleven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service to celebrate his life, his love of music, and his service to country, will be held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at 11 a.m., at Market Street United Methodist Church in Onancock. A private interment will be held at Cape Charles Cemetery. Immediately following the funeral service, the family invites friends to join them until 3 p.m. at Belle Croft, in Accomac, to further celebrate David’s life.
Memorial donations may be made to Accomack Community Band, P.O. Box 135, Accomac, VA 23301, or Market Street United Methodist Church, 75 Market Street, Onancock, VA 23417.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
