MILLER — Donald W. Steptoe, 90, of Miller, passed away Sunday, November 28, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Miller, with Pastor Teresa Whetsel officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Morningside Cemetery in Ree Heights.
Donald William Steptoe was born on February 27, 1931, at home in Greenleaf Township. He was the second child of six children of William R. L. and Velma O. (Wyant) Steptoe. They lived in Alden Township and later moved to the Meppen Farm in Greenleaf Township, just west of Lake Louise. He attended Steptoe Country School for eight years. Transportation to school was in a two-wheeled cart drawn by a horse. Don graduated from Ree Heights High School in 1949.  
Donald was proud to serve his country during the Korean War, from 1952 to 1954. He was trained as a Clerk-Typist, assigned to be an Army Administrative Secretary, close to the front lines, in Panmanjom, Korea, where the truce was signed. He was eight feet away from the signing. Life Magazine published a story telling about what Don had experienced.
Don and the love of his life, Eleanor Fawcett Morford, were married on December 21, 1979. Eleanor’s family became Don’s family. They lived and farmed the Morford farm, near Highmore, until moving to their home in Miller next to Crystal Park.
They enjoyed many years of camping at the State Fair in Huron and other camping adventures at Lake Louise and the Black Hills. They enjoyed traveling around the United States, Canada, Alaska, Germany, Italy and Cuba. They celebrated their 41st anniversary on December 21, 2020.
Don became a member of the Speirs Masonic Lodge #86, A.F.& A.M., of Ree Heights December 30, 1952. He was a Past Worshipful Master of Speirs Lodge; Yelduz Shriners, 33rd Degree Mason, Scottish York Rite and a member of Maxwell Chapter #133 Order of the Eastern Star, Ree Heights. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Don served as a Hand County Commissioner in the early 1980’s. He was also a board member for Greenleaf Township for many years.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Eleanor; his family; Keith Morford, JoAnn (Roger Zens), Morford, Judy Morford; grandchildren: Brent (Terri), Brian (Melanie), Nicolette (Andrew); nine great grandchildren: Evalyn, Jasper, Isaac, Grace, Natalie, Piper, Asher, Roselyn and Oliver; siblings: Robert (Karen) Steptoe, Carole (Harland) Fawcett, Mary Phinney Veneklasen; sister-in-law, Delores Steptoe; nieces and nephews; great nephews; and great nieces, and their families; and many other relatives.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister; brother, Kenneth; and brothers- in-law: Bayard Phinney, Fred Veneklasen, Wayne and Dale Fawcett.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 610 E. 4th Ave, Miller, S.D. 57362.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Don’s arrangements.  
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