Obituary for Nancy Ann Steely (Paddack)
Nancy Ann Steely was born on November 20, 1930 to W. Clyde and Helen E. Paddack in Lafayette, IN. She was the oldest of 2 children, her sister B. Joan Bennett being born 2.5 years later. Helen and Clyde were inventors and artists who brought out the creativity in (both) Nancy and Joan.
Nancy attended Lafayette Jefferson High School and graduated in 1948. She excelled in music; playing saxophone in the band. Subsequent to high school, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN obtaining a bachelor's degree in music education.
Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position with the local school system in Carrier Mills, IL. She married Robert Steely and moved to Indianapolis. She and Bob spent part of their honeymoon helping Helen and Clyde build a summer cabin on Ojibway Lake located 17 miles east of Ely, MN.
After son Robin was born in 1956, the family moved to Battle Creek, MI where Bob took a teaching position at Battle Creek Central High School. Son Kevin was born in 1958.
In 1960, the family leased a lot from the US Forest Service next door to Helen and Clyde on Ojibway Lake near Ely. They commenced construction on their own summer cabin.
Summers were always fun for the boys as their parents, being educators, moved the family to the lake for the summers. Every summer, they left in June and returned just before school began in September. Summers were filled with side trips to the east coast, Canadian Rockies, and parts in between with a pop-up camper.
In 1966, Nancy elected to re-enter the workforce and was hired at Pennfield Schools near Battle Creek teaching 5th and 6th grade bands, junior high bands and elementary music. She was responsible for starting all band students on their first instruments – teaching the fundamentals of being in a band. She started Robin on saxophone.
During her tenure at Pennfield Schools, numerous students would show up at the house for private saxophone, clarinet, and flute lessons. She even worked with some trombone students. During this time, she finished a master’s degree at Western Michigan University.
In 1978, she left Pennfield Schools to oversee the entire music program at Battle Creek Academy. She had all of the elementary students in classroom music classes and 3 bands – 5th grade, 6-7th grades junior band, and 8-12 senior band. Her bands enjoyed 95% student participation.
Nancy’s senior bands traveled all over the Midwest and eastern United States performing in churches and auditoriums for competitions and festivals, consistently achieving high honors for performance.
In addition to her educational activities, she started a handbell choir at the Battle Creek Tabernacle, traveling with them to Europe for performances.
In the 1990’s, Nancy and friend Carol Taylor built a small log home on 4 acres in Battle Creek where they lived for many years. Summers were spent at the Ely cabin.
In the late 1990s, Nancy sold the Ely cabin (built during 1960-62 with former husband Bob). Subsequently, she purchased her parents’ cabin located on the adjacent lot. Nancy installed electric service, remodeled and modernized the cabin to render it suitable to 4-5 months living.
Nancy loved to fish; a great joy was having her grandchildren come and spend a few weeks with her at the lake. Canoe trips and fishing trips were the norm as well as stops at the local Dairy Queen. In the meantime (when in Battle Creek) she would guest-conduct at Battle Creek Academy. She would also teach students privately during her retirement.
Nancy was involved in music at the Battle Creek Tabernacle, directed the church choir at Pennfield Presbyterian church, served on the Battle Creek Prayer committee, and ushered for the annual Brass Band Concert in Battle Creek. She delighted in hearing her granddaughters, Kara and Bailey playing the clarinet and saxophone. Nancy was privileged to conduct bands in which grandchildren, Tori, Morgan and Logan played.
She was a member of the Battle Creek Tabernacle, participating in musical productions and Bible study.
Nancy was honored on December 6, 2021 for her many contributions to Battle Creek Academy. Faculty, (former) students & friends celebrated her service; naming the Nancy Steely Performing Arts Rehearsal Hall. In 2022, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Battle Creek Academy. A former student, Dr. Denise Santos-English commissioned the "March Grande Dame" by Mark Grauer. Many former students recorded their particular parts (due to Covid restrictions) and recorded the premier performances of the work. This was a special thrill.
Her first love was summers spent at the Minnesota cabin where she had many close friends. She was privileged to return there for a brief visit in summer 2023.
She is survived by sons, Robin (Adell) Steely and Kevin (Denise) Steely; grandchildren, Kara Steely, Bailey (Akyeme) Reese, Tori (Jesse) Steely, Morgan (Christianna) Steely, and Logan (Tinelle) Steely; plus 4 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents and an infant grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Battle Creek Academy.
At her request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service is planned for March 9, 2024 at 3:30 at the Battle Creek Seventh Day Adventist Tabernacle, 264 West Michigan Ave. Battle Creek, MI 49016.
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
Nancy attended Lafayette Jefferson High School and graduated in 1948. She excelled in music; playing saxophone in the band. Subsequent to high school, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN obtaining a bachelor's degree in music education.
Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position with the local school system in Carrier Mills, IL. She married Robert Steely and moved to Indianapolis. She and Bob spent part of their honeymoon helping Helen and Clyde build a summer cabin on Ojibway Lake located 17 miles east of Ely, MN.
After son Robin was born in 1956, the family moved to Battle Creek, MI where Bob took a teaching position at Battle Creek Central High School. Son Kevin was born in 1958.
In 1960, the family leased a lot from the US Forest Service next door to Helen and Clyde on Ojibway Lake near Ely. They commenced construction on their own summer cabin.
Summers were always fun for the boys as their parents, being educators, moved the family to the lake for the summers. Every summer, they left in June and returned just before school began in September. Summers were filled with side trips to the east coast, Canadian Rockies, and parts in between with a pop-up camper.
In 1966, Nancy elected to re-enter the workforce and was hired at Pennfield Schools near Battle Creek teaching 5th and 6th grade bands, junior high bands and elementary music. She was responsible for starting all band students on their first instruments – teaching the fundamentals of being in a band. She started Robin on saxophone.
During her tenure at Pennfield Schools, numerous students would show up at the house for private saxophone, clarinet, and flute lessons. She even worked with some trombone students. During this time, she finished a master’s degree at Western Michigan University.
In 1978, she left Pennfield Schools to oversee the entire music program at Battle Creek Academy. She had all of the elementary students in classroom music classes and 3 bands – 5th grade, 6-7th grades junior band, and 8-12 senior band. Her bands enjoyed 95% student participation.
Nancy’s senior bands traveled all over the Midwest and eastern United States performing in churches and auditoriums for competitions and festivals, consistently achieving high honors for performance.
In addition to her educational activities, she started a handbell choir at the Battle Creek Tabernacle, traveling with them to Europe for performances.
In the 1990’s, Nancy and friend Carol Taylor built a small log home on 4 acres in Battle Creek where they lived for many years. Summers were spent at the Ely cabin.
In the late 1990s, Nancy sold the Ely cabin (built during 1960-62 with former husband Bob). Subsequently, she purchased her parents’ cabin located on the adjacent lot. Nancy installed electric service, remodeled and modernized the cabin to render it suitable to 4-5 months living.
Nancy loved to fish; a great joy was having her grandchildren come and spend a few weeks with her at the lake. Canoe trips and fishing trips were the norm as well as stops at the local Dairy Queen. In the meantime (when in Battle Creek) she would guest-conduct at Battle Creek Academy. She would also teach students privately during her retirement.
Nancy was involved in music at the Battle Creek Tabernacle, directed the church choir at Pennfield Presbyterian church, served on the Battle Creek Prayer committee, and ushered for the annual Brass Band Concert in Battle Creek. She delighted in hearing her granddaughters, Kara and Bailey playing the clarinet and saxophone. Nancy was privileged to conduct bands in which grandchildren, Tori, Morgan and Logan played.
She was a member of the Battle Creek Tabernacle, participating in musical productions and Bible study.
Nancy was honored on December 6, 2021 for her many contributions to Battle Creek Academy. Faculty, (former) students & friends celebrated her service; naming the Nancy Steely Performing Arts Rehearsal Hall. In 2022, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Battle Creek Academy. A former student, Dr. Denise Santos-English commissioned the "March Grande Dame" by Mark Grauer. Many former students recorded their particular parts (due to Covid restrictions) and recorded the premier performances of the work. This was a special thrill.
Her first love was summers spent at the Minnesota cabin where she had many close friends. She was privileged to return there for a brief visit in summer 2023.
She is survived by sons, Robin (Adell) Steely and Kevin (Denise) Steely; grandchildren, Kara Steely, Bailey (Akyeme) Reese, Tori (Jesse) Steely, Morgan (Christianna) Steely, and Logan (Tinelle) Steely; plus 4 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents and an infant grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Battle Creek Academy.
At her request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service is planned for March 9, 2024 at 3:30 at the Battle Creek Seventh Day Adventist Tabernacle, 264 West Michigan Ave. Battle Creek, MI 49016.
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com