Vilas D. Steckly was born April 25, 1933, to Floyd and Agnes (Schweitzer) Steckly on a farm near Beaver Crossing.
He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized in his youth. He attended Beaver Crossing High School, graduating in 1951. On April 20, 1956, Vilas was united in marriage to Zona Stauffer. To this union, three children were born – Vonda, Brenda, and Blane. Vilas spent many years giving service to his church in numerous roles. While he held various jobs in the community, he found his greatest joy in being a farmer and working alongside his son. In his free time, he loved traveling with his wife, working with antique machinery, model trains and spending time with his family. Vilas passed away on Aug. 2, 2024, in Seward, at the age of 91.
He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jessica Steckly; son-in-law, Van Temple; brother, Kenneth Steckly; brother-in-law, Orlen Stauffer; and sister-in-law, Donna Stauffer. He is survived by his children, Vonda Steckly Temple of Los Lunas, NewMexico, Brenda (Dwayne) Wenger of Bridgewater, Virginia, and Blane (Nancy) Steckly of Milford; grandchildren, Rachel (Tyler) Lucas of Gretna, Lance (Kristin) Wenger of Rockingham, Virginia, Kendall (Emily) Wenger of Rockingham, Olivia Steckly of Lincoln, Alicia (Shane) Showalter of Broadway, Virginia, Aaron (Bryli) Steckly of Beaver Crossing, and Vanessa Steckly of Lincoln; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Maynard (Wilma) Steckly of Seward, and sister-in-law, Darlene Steckly of Garden City, Missouri.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church in Seward with a private committal at the Blue Mound Cemetery at Milford. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
