James C. Steele, 79, of Des Plaines, passed away on July 18, 2023, after suffering five months from late stage esophageal cancer. Jim was born in Sandusky, Ohio on Mother's Day, May 14, 1944. He was the son of the late John "Ray" Steele, and Ruth Hellen (nee Elsner) Steele. He was an adoring partner and devoted husband to the late Nanci (Versino nee Ryan) Steele for 45 years. He was a loving stepfather to Barbra Versino (Richard Spychalski) and the late Robert Versino. He was the proud grandfather of Jonathan Spychalski and Emma Spychalski. He was the dear brother of Ruth Williams and Mary Sue Clifton, the late Jane Adelman, the late Carol Steele, Johnny Steele and the late Rose Steele. He was also a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. Jim was a curious, self-taught student of life. In high school, he was a budding amateur magician who later toured the country, professionally at county and state fairs, carnivals and the Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers Circus. He was not only a magician, but also an illusionist, a mentalist, an escape artist, a sword swallower and a fire eater. Throughout the 1960s, Jim's charismatic personality and quick wit, landed him many opportunities in show business, including small parts in movies and theater. He toured as part of a vaudeville troupe, and was master of ceremonies in various nightclubs and variety shows in Ohio, New York City, New Jersey, and Chicago. Jim was an enthusiastic entertainer who loved to shock and awe a crowd, and he easily commanded a room. In the 1970s, Jim honed in on another passion: wine connoisseur. Jim worked as a consultant, writer, and promoter of fine wines. He combined his talent of entertaining, and his knowledge of wine, to organize large wine tastings and auctions for various liquor stores in the Chicagoland area. He was also a two-time winner of Geja's Annual International Wine tasting Contest. He met his wife, Nanci, in 1976, and under his tutelage, she became a wine expert in her own right. The two of them became well known in the food and wine business for decades. During the last 20 years of his life, Jim became a dedicated grandfather. He, along with Nanci, became fun, full-time grandparents. They loved and cherished Jonathan and Emma and spoiled them with adventures in dining, traveling, and movie watching. The kids were regulars at restaurants such as, Gibson's, Gene and Georgetti's, Sabatino's, Bob Chinn's, and Ron of Japan. Grandpa Jim also loved to take them to breakfast for bagels and chocolate chip pancakes. Grandma and grandpa loved traveling, and experienced many vacations with them at Walt Disney World, Cedar Point, Indianapolis, Mackinac Island and New York City. Jim will be most remembered for his fun, outgoing nature, and his open and accepting personality. He had a wonderful life, and wanted to experience all dimensions of it. In the weeks before he died, he said that what made his life great were the people he met, knew, and loved. He cherished his wife, family, and friends. He especially wanted to thank all the people who cared for him, visited, texted, prayed, and sent good thoughts to him while he was enduring the last months of his life. He was touched by the kindness and love that he experienced. Visitation is Friday, July 21, 2023 beginning at 4:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. at G.L. Hills Funeral Home 745 Graceland Ave, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 794 Pearson St. Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016. Entombment following Mass at Memorial Park Cemetery, 9900 Gross Point Rd Skokie, Illinois, 60076. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU. https://action.aclu.org For information please call the funeral home at  (847) 699-9003.