Cecelia L Steffel, 98, of Defiance, passed away on  Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the CHP Defiance Area In-Patient Hospice Center.

She was born on December 4, 1915 to Peter and Susan (Warnimont) Hesselschwardt in Defiance Co, OH.  Cecila married Gerald G. Steffel in 1937 and he passed away in 2001.

She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and its Altar Society and was a volunteer with the Defiance Red Cross and the Defiance County Hospice. Cecelia's main focus was on God, faith and family.  Her most valued possession was her rosary which she said many times daily.  Also a main focus is putting God back into our country.

Cecelia is survived by her daughters:   Roseann (Gerald) Meyer of Hicksville,  Ruth (Larry) Schafer of Defiance, Karen (David) Mekus of Jewell,  Mary Lu (Michael) Willitzer of Defiance, sons, Glen (Diana) Steffel of Defiance, Harold (Susan) Steffel of Defiance, Vic (Rita) Steffel of Defiance,  Nick (Mary Ann) Steffel of Sherwood, Edward (Denise) Steffel of Defiance, Donald Steffel of Continenal, OH, 43 grandchildren, 95 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gerald, daughter, Rita Slattman,  sons, John and Dennis Steffel, brothers, George, Raymond,, Charles, Bernard,, Clarence, & Gilbert Hesselschwardt, sisters, Cora Batt, Agnes Kunesh, Rosa Batt, Anna Shinninger, Matilda Wallen.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2014 at Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance, with a vigil service at 2:00 p.m. and a rosary service at 2:15 p.m..  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2014,  St. Michael's Catholic Church, Defiance, with Father Robert Kill and Father Anthony Batt officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery

The family suggest memorials be made to  St. Michael's Catholic Church or to the CHP Defiance Area In-Patient Hospice Center.

Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.