Maxine Steele

Maxine Binch Steele, age 94, peacefully completed her life's mission on September 5, 2025, due to causes incidental to age.

Maxine was born January 9, 1931 in Provo, Utah to George and Lorraine Binch. She was the eldest of two children. She grew up in American Fork just down the road from her later residence.

She graduated from American Fork High School in 1949 and promptly began her college studies at BYU While attending BYU she married Paul LeFay Steele, her husband of 69 years. She graduated from BYU in 1953 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. In 1954, she began teaching third grade at Forbes Elementary, where she would officially teach for 50 years, educating thousands of children in the community. After her formal retirement in 2004, she never really stopped. She continued to volunteer in the classrooms for seven more years, and in 2011 the school put her back on the payroll where she taught reading part-time for three additional years, bringing her remarkable teaching career to a full 60 years. For Maxine, retirement was more a technicality than a change of routine.

Even with a busy school schedule, Maxine continued her lifelong love of music. Her passion for the violin began in the fourth grade and she continued through her college years at BYU and later with the American Fork Symphony.

She was also active in community committees and groups including the Arts Council and the Cemetery Committee. Those who had the pleasure to know her respected the way she lived her life.

Maxine is survived by her loyal and attentive son, Mark (Cristy) Steele; five grandchildren, Camie Jefferies (Cory Barber), Heidi (Neal) Winterton, Stacey (John) Rosevear, Shaun (Annette) Steele, Shellie Steele; six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Lorraine Binch; her brother, Wayne Binch; her husband, Paul; and her beautiful daughter, Sandra Lynne Steele.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 12th beginning with a viewing from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM and memorial services at 1:00 PM at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork, UT 84003. Interment will follow at the American Fork Cemetery, 600 North Center Street, American Fork, UT.

To join in the services for Maxine, please click the link below:

https://youtube.com/live/ovgZeOB-DZQ