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12/16/2014

In Memory of Vernon (Vern) C. Steele

1971-1973 Ohio Court Reporters Association President

Vern SteeleVernon C. Steele died peacefully at home on Sunday, December 14, 2014, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 70 years old on November 12th.

He spent his entire 47-year court reporting career in Cincinnati reporting for Hamilton County Common Pleas Judges Thomas Nurre, Kim Burke, and the late Ralph Kohnen. He was a long-time member, former president, and director of the Ohio Court Reporters Association. He held himself to a high standard of excellence and was well respected by his peers. He will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor. He was a member of the Air Force Reserve staff under General Donald Campbell, stationed at Wilmington Air Force Base, Wilmington, OH.

Vern enjoyed traveling, both in the United States and Europe. The pictures and stories of his travels were one of his favorite things to share with family and friends. Other interests were cooking, the theatre, and the Cincinnati Pops.

He is survived by his wife Cheri, son Steve and daughter-in-law Becky, grandchildren Elizabeth, Kaitlyn, and Steven. Brothers include Eldon and wife Reta, Milton and wife Donna, sister-in-law Nancy Steele, all of MN; sister-in-law Mary Kozlak, San Diego, CA, brother-in-law Bob Dipple, Lake Havasu City, AZ. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Alton and Gladys Steele and brother Ramon of MN.

All who knew Vern are encouraged to join the family in celebrating his life at a gathering on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial services will take place at a later date in MN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cedar Village Hospice, 5467 Cedar Village Drive, Mason, OH 45040, or Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Share special messages with the Steele family at: www.Muellerfunerals.com and/or share your memories of Vern with your fellow OCRA family and friends by clicking here .

Vern's family would like to thank all their friends and family and especially Cedar Village Hospice for their love and support throughout his battle with cancer.

Memories and Thoughts of Vern, as shared by his OCRA family

 
Luke Lavin,
Cincinnati, Ohio              
      
Vern was a great champion for the court reporting profession
and has been a wonderful friend and mentor for over 40 years.
He will be sorely missed.
Mary Jones
Dayton, Ohio
 
A smiling face, a kind word, a helping hand ... Vern gave so
generously of himself to the benefit of all who knew him.
Our lives are enriched for having had the good fortune to know him
and spend time with him. OCRA has lost a loyal member and
strong supporter of the profession and his state and
national associations. I personally have lost a good friend whom I
will miss terribly.
 
Beth Higgins
Columbus, Ohio
 
I did not ever meet or know Vern, only about him. We've had many
discussions about Vern in our board meetings over the last few years
and how great of a reporter and person he was. I feel cheated that
I did not get to meet him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family
and friends whose lives he impacted and will feel his loss.
 
Sandy Coon
Sidney, Ohio
 
I graded test papers with Vern back in the 80's. When they stopped
giving the test in Cincinnati, Vern and his crew joined the Mildred
Stocksdale crew at Clark State. We did more comparing notes and laughing
than we did grading papers. He was a loyal member of OCRA and
NCRA. My condolences to his family and his many court reporting friends.
 
Hope Goldsmith
Dayton, Ohio
 
When I think of Vern, I see and have known EXCELLENCE... Just simply
THE BEST... He kept me straight with my billing paperwork, and he was
always patient with explanations ... He loved sharing his adventures from
all his travels ... He would always bring back those famous GYNORMOUS
caramels that we love so much... Love and miss you, Vern!
~ Hope G., Official Court Reporter, Hamilton County Courthouse
 
 
Pamela Spangler Reis
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
Vern was an inspiration to all reporters as well as respected by the legal
and judiciary community. He promoted and aided in anchoring the future
of court reporting. He will be sorely missed. Warm wishes to Vern's family.
~ Pamela Spangler Reis
 
 
Sue Horak
Columbus, Ohio
 
I first met Vern in 1976 when I was taking the RPR exam in Cincinnati. He
was the chief examiner. The testing at that time was an all day affair. We
were treated with respect and made as comfortable as we could possibly be
through that "ordeal." Back then the tests were graded on site. I remember
Vern coming up to me to tell me that not only had I passed my RPR (finally)
but I had done very well, less than the total errors for one leg for all three
legs. I saw Vern over the years at OCRA events and he always seemed to
remember me. I don't know if he really did, but he acted like we were old friends.
He seemed to treat everyone that way, as a friend.  He was a true professional
and great asset to both OCRA and the reporting profession. He laid the
groundwork for a lot of new reporters and his mentoring and friendship
will be sorely missed.
 
Susan Gee
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
Vern became my friend when I took the RMR and CRR tests in Cincinnati. He
was always so nice and helpful and ran the testing perfectly. He was the
epitome of a great reporter. Vern left a huge imprint on our profession and
OCRA. His leadership and dedication were exemplary. Vern's passion for
court reporting was infectious and inspiring. He will be missed.
 
Martha Hyland
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
I have sent a personal message to Steve about Vern. I feel so badly about
missing Vern's service but I was out of town for the holidays. However, I
wanted to share a funny story. I worked with Vern for many years. It was the
time right before I passed my jury charge for the RMR. Now, for many of you
it only takes a couple of times to pass this particular leg, but it took me ten years.
One of those times I took the test and did not pass the test, Vern came up to me
and said, "Marty, you were very close, you only missed it by 200 errors." I never
laughed so hard in my life. The next time, though, I passed it, and Vern comes
up to me and says, "You were a tad closer this time." What a wit. He will be missed.
 

Please share your memories of Vern with your fellow OCRA family and friends by clicking here.

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