Obituary of George Edwin Steckly

Albany, Oregon March 16, 1934 - - - November 14, 2019 Portland, Oregon George E. Steckly, 85 years old, died in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday; November 14, 2019. He was born March 16, 1934 in Albany,Oregon, the son of Edward and Lillie Steckly. After growing up on a turkey farm as a child, he attended Western Mennonite School, and Hesston Academy, 1953. 1953-1955 Volunteered with MCC's Pax (peace) program -- overseas alternative to U.S. military service. George helped build houses in Backnang, Germany for refugees from Holland after the floods in January 1953. He married his wife, Ardyth on June 3,1957. George received a Mortuary Science degree from San Francisco College in 1961.Ardyth and George lived and worked at Cornwell Mortuary in Woodburn, Oregon. Summer of 1962: George honored his wife’s wish and moved back to farm with Ardyth’s family in Kansas. After the children were born George’s moved to Hutchinson, KS. for him to begin studies in his life-time career as a Medical Record Administrator. Starting at Hutchinson Community Junior College 1967, and finishing in Dominican College 1969; Houston, Texas Ardyth and George fell in love with Texas and made that their home until 1977 when George was offered an opportunity to be an instructor at Hutchinson Community College in the Medical Records Program where he began his career. George and Ardyth lived in Hutchinson untilmoving to Mennonite Manor Retirement Community in 1998. A lifetime member of the Mennonite Church, joining and being baptized at the age of 8. Through out George’s life he lived his Christian Walk with God, through his friendships and ministry to others. George liked to attend musical, and cultural arts programs through out his life. He also liked to camp and travel.Other hobbies included, photography and woodworking, making wooden ball point pens after retiring. Even after Ardyth’s death in 2014, George returned to Oregon to live near his daughter and continued to make friends and witness to others sharing his belief, “God is Love”. George is survived by his daughter Karla and son Devon and five grand children. A graveside service with family on November 23, in Lebanon, Oregon. In lieu of flowers memorials maybe made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)https://donate.mcc.org or First Mennonite Church, Hutchinson, Kansas.