STEIL The Honorable Glenn Dale Steil passed away suddenly on May 07 2010 near his Bonita Springs Florida home. He was 69 years of age. Glenn is survived by his loving wife Barbara his children Glenn Steil Jr. and Darlene Carol Steil and his grandchildren Allison Alex and Olivia. One of thirteen children Glenn is also survived by his siblings Albert Patricia Evelyn Ada Susan Michael Diane Marvin Carol Mary Ellen and Steve.Glenn was born in Grand Rapids Michigan on August 29 1940 to Adolph Albert Steil III and Theresa Jane Roberts. Glenn grew up on the west side of Grand Rapids leaving the City in 1958 to serve his country in the United States Coast Guard for four years. After an honorable discharge Glenn came back to the City and went to work for Steelcase in sales and purchasing. Working by day and studying by night Glenn earned his associates degree in accounting from Davenport University in 1962 and his bachelors degree in business administration from Aquinas College in 1972. In 1974 seeing an opportunity for innovation in the office furniture industry and using a small sum of personal savings Glenn started his own business. Successful Glenn also later started and led Steil Inc. and Compatico Inc., both office furniture related companies in the Grand Rapids area. Having attained that success Glenn later turned his interests to public service notably serving as Grand Rapids State Senator from 1994 to 2002 and holding numerous leadership positions with the local state and national Republican Party.Glenn was defined by certain simple core values: humility loyalty generosity and hard work. No matter the reaches or the extent of his success Glenn remained very firmly grounded in these values. As someone who had come from humble beginnings he truly believed in giving back helping those in need and giving a hand to those striving to succeed. Over the years Glenn served and donated to numerous charitable and civic endeavors including Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth Davenport University Aquinas College Frederick Meijer Gardens the Gerald R. Ford Foundation Celebration on the Grand and many others. Glenn was also very proud to receive honorary doctorate degrees from both of his alma maters Davenport University and Aquinas College.Perhaps the most notable thing about Glenn are the qualities and acts that never made headlines and that dont fit into a resume-like listing of a mans accomplishments. For those lucky enough to have called Glenn a friend you know there was no better friend no better advocate and no better ally. Glenn was eternally optimistic energetic fun and loyal almost to a fault. For the many thousands more who did not know him as a friend but who nonetheless were lucky enough to have their lives touched or improved by his caring efforts you know that he was always a gentleman always helpful and always generous. To Glenn his greatest achievements in life were his family and the many ways he left this world better than he found it. As this husband father grandfather friend leader and mentor now rests we know he does so at peace and with humble pride in these legacies.Services for Glenn are open to all. Visitation will be held at OBrien Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home at 3980 Cascade Road SE on May 12 2010 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Calvary Church at 707 East Beltline (I-96 and East Beltline) on May 13 2010 at 11 a.m Pastor Edward Dobson officiating. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or other expressions of condolences and in line with a defining characteristic of Glenns life that you make a donation to the charity of your choosing in his honor.STEIL The Honorable Glenn Dale Steil passed away suddenly on May 07 2010 near his Bonita Springs Florida home. He was 69 years of age. Glenn is survived by his loving wife Barbara his children Glenn Steil Jr. and Darlene Carol Steil and his grandchildren Allison Alex and Olivia. One of thirteen children Glenn is also survived by his siblings Albert Patricia Evelyn Ada Susan Michael Diane Marvin Carol Mary Ellen and Steve.Glenn was born in Grand Rapids Michigan on August 29 1940 to Adolph Albert Steil III and Theresa Jane Roberts. Glenn grew up on the west side of Grand Rapids leaving the City in 1958 to serve his country in the United States Coast Guard for four years. After an honorable discharge Glenn came back to the City and went to work for Steelcase in sales and purchasing. Working by day and studying by night Glenn earned his associates degree in accounting from Davenport University in 1962 and his bachelors degree in business administration from Aquinas College in 1972. In 1974 seeing an opportunity for innovation in the office furniture industry and using a small sum of personal savings Glenn started his own business. Successful Glenn also later started and led Steil Inc. and Compatico Inc., both office furniture related companies in the Grand Rapids area. Having attained that success Glenn later turned his interests to public service notably serving as Grand Rapids State Senator from 1994 to 2002 and holding numerous leadership positions with the local state and national Republican Party.Glenn was defined by certain simple core values: humility loyalty generosity and hard work. No matter the reaches or the extent of his success Glenn remained very firmly grounded in these values. As someone who had come from humble beginnings he truly believed in giving back helping those in need and giving a hand to those striving to succeed. Over the years Glenn served and donated to numerous charitable and civic endeavors including Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth Davenport University Aquinas College Frederick Meijer Gardens the Gerald R. Ford Foundation Celebration on the Grand and many others. Glenn was also very proud to receive honorary doctorate degrees from both of his alma maters Davenport University and Aquinas College.Perhaps the most notable thing about Glenn are the qualities and acts that never made headlines and that dont fit into a resume-like listing of a mans accomplishments. For those lucky enough to have called Glenn a friend you know there was no better friend no better advocate and no better ally. Glenn was eternally optimistic energetic fun and loyal almost to a fault. For the many thousands more who did not know him as a friend but who nonetheless were lucky enough to have their lives touched or improved by his caring efforts you know that he was always a gentleman always helpful and always generous. To Glenn his greatest achievements in life were his family and the many ways he left this world better than he found it. As this husband father grandfather friend leader and mentor now rests we know he does so at peace and with humble pride in these legacies.Services for Glenn are open to all. Visitation will be held at OBrien Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home at 3980 Cascade Road SE on May 12 2010 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Calvary Church at 707 East Beltline (I-96 and East Beltline) on May 13 2010 at 11 a.m Pastor Edward Dobson officiating. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or other expressions of condolences and in line with a defining characteristic of Glenns life that you make a donation to the charity of your choosing in his honor.
