Matthew Todd Steele

“Thanks for having me, I had a great time!”

Matthew (aka “Sticks”, “Steeley”) Todd Steele, of Vandalia, Ohio, left us on December 3, 2019 at the age of 54.

“Nice to meet you.  I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Matt was preceded in death by mother, Janet Steele (2000), and father Bernard Steele. He is survived by sister, Jenny Steele-Johnson and brother-in-law, Bruce Johnson, of Tavares, Florida; Janet Bean and brother-in-law, Jeff Bean, of Traverse City, Michigan; Niece, Catherine Montjar Irwin and Nephew, Andrew Montjar.  Matt has an extensive family of friends who loved him dearly; Randy and Nancy Jones of Vandalia, Ohio were like parents to him.  Many of his lifelong friends include Matt Jones, Joseph Minnemam, Ryan Goforth, Ted Zavakos, Tim Gatzulis, Mitchell Jones, Mike Jones Joseph Spieles, Tim Weiss, Matt Sanders, Jeff George, and Gary Farris, .

“Steele’s Deals”

Matt graduated from Vandalia-Butler High School in 1984. He played varsity basketball and was on the track team. Matt competed in the high jump and high hurdles. He later attended ITT Technical Institute of Dayton where he earned a degree as a Plastic Mold Injection Cad Designer.  He had a passion for his career and was a dedicated employee at Minco Corporation for several years.  Matt was part of the design team that created 3-Dimensional parts for NASA, Star Wars figurines, and Hoover.  Matthew loved working in the bar business.  He continued to bartend part time after he became established as a Cad Designer. You could find him slinging drinks at Casa Lupita, Stubbies, The Little York Tavern, Bunkers, Oscars, and Wings (just to name a few). Over the last three decades, thousands of people came to see his smiling face. Matt is a bartending legend, and any bartender in the area knows his name.   If you enjoyed adult beverages in the Vandalia area, Matt probably served you at one time, and you know one of his many his famous phrases, “Extra-extra dry Cuervo martini, neat!”

 “You need to visit the swing doctor!”

Matthew was a drummer, an avid golfer and a natural athlete. When he was 43, he made a double eagle-one on the par 4 (also known as an Albatross) eighth hole at Cassel Hills.  He was a bonsai skier who you could spot at a great distance.  He is known for his goofy ski attire and fearless attitude on the slopes. He was known to ski in a sombrero, serape, mohawk, or anything else to make people laugh. Matthew had a natural ability to make friends everywhere he went. At the end of a long day of skiing, you could always find Matt entertaining his friends at the lounge, possibly enjoying a “Two-story Crown Royal” and never the same brand of beer twice in a row.

 “God didn’t put us on this earth to have a bad time.”

Matt was an animal lover and supported our local animal rescue centers. In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary contribution or pet supplies (food, blankets, towels) to the Montgomery County resource Center on Webster Street. 

“You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here!”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Matthew Todd Steele, please visit our floral store.