Mike Steele Family

Mike Steele passed away the night of August 4th, 2018 leaving behind his loving wife, Christina, and three beautiful children MaKenna (6), Addison (5), and Owen (4). 

Due to chronic kidney failure that stemmed from a congenital birth defect, that was not diagnosed until he was about 6 years old, Mike Steele started dialysis in February 2017.  Mike later underwent an ankle/leg fusion operation on March 1, 2018 due to avascular necrosis of the talus bone, which began the first of his many hospital stays and health issues. Mike has since underwent 30 blood transfusions and about 10 platelet transfusions, only to later be diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome, which was basically stated to be pre-leukemia. 

On July 30, 2018, Mike received his first round of chemotherapy, and the next day he was taken to Smyth County Community Hospital. There he received yet another blood transfusion and doctors feared progression of his disorder. That evening he was transferred to Wake Forest Cancer Center with what they believed to be Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which left Mike more susceptible to an infection. He was diagnosed with an infection that ultimately stopped his kidney function which lead to organ failure. 

Mike Steele was an upstanding citizen of Marion, VA working at the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center for 15 years. He affected the lives of numerous at-risk youth, which lead to his positive imprint on many lives of the students he worked with, the staff that viewed him as family, and a community that welcomed him with his outreach work. The testimonies of those he positively influenced are sure to go far and wide across Virginia. Even in his darkest of days, his positivity was radiant and contagious. He was an influential educator, co-worker, friend, father, husband, and family member who's mark on those of the lives he touched will never be forgotten. 

This fund is set to assist his wife and children with the expenses accrued from medical bills, to assist with funeral services, and help them financially be able to get through the rough road ahead.