Area Obituaries
Robert Mandell Steffey, age 91, of Flat Rock, Illinois passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was born on March 30, 1931 in Lawrence County, Illinois, the son of Paul and Dolphine (Weger) Steffey. He married Hazel Christine on July 03, 1959, and she preceded him in death on September 28, 2020. Mandell worked in the oilfield for 25 years. In 1974, he went to work for Reinbold and Sons driving a semi, where he retired from in 1999. He loved the town of Flat Rock. He enjoyed tending to his garden, that he kept meticulous. In the mornings, he enjoyed visiting with his friends at the Maxwell House for coffee and in the afternoons for tea. Mandell farmed with his son, Neal, and in the later years they spent many weekends and evenings restoring antique tractors. He was an active member of the Flat Rock Area Fire Protection District for 66 years, from March of 1957, until his passing. He served as Fire Chief for 53 of those years, from 1966 until 2019. He was a member of the Birds Free Methodist Church. Preceding him in death were his parents; wife; one sister, Nancy Young; two sons-in-law, Dwight Rose and Greg Rice; and one brother-in-law, Donald Young. Survivors include four children, Janet Rose of Columbus, Indiana, David Steffey and wife, Jill of Brookville Ohio, Jeanne Rice of Robinson, Illinois and Neal Steffey and wife, Sandy of Palestine, Illinois; one brother, Wendell Steffey and wife, Floye of Flat Rock, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Nicki Tanner, Tara Jordan and husband, Jay, Matthew Rose, Amanda Burton and husband, Brent, Ashley Steffey, Heather Rice, Justin Rice and wife, Stacey, Hillary McCrillis and husband, Evan, and Halley Benton and husband, Caleb; 18 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, April 01, 2023 at 3:00 PM CDT at the First Missionary Baptist Church, located at 208 1st Street in Flat Rock, Illinois. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the service hour of 3:00 PM CDT at the church. Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Birds Free Methodist Church. Emmons-Macey ; Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.
