Leona H. Steinke

Leona Steinke, 84, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 A.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church Women’s Missionary Fellowship. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Steinke was born October 9, 1923 in Benton Harbor to Charles & Louise (Leas) Schiebel. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1941. On April 17, 1948, she married Melvin Steinke in St. Joseph. Leona was employed as office manager at Crystal Springs Cemetery for many years. She was a member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church. In her spare time, Leona enjoyed sewing and baking. Leona is survived by her children-Mary (Warren) Jenkins of Sidnaw, MI, Joan (Larry) Litke of Baroda, Jim (Karen) Steinke of Stevensville; nine grandchildren-Trent (Tina) Renfro, Kevin (Becky) Renfro, Jay (Pam) Renfro, Jenifer (Andy) Moler, Heather (Kevin) Shannon, David, Paul, Andy & Trevor Steinke; nine great-grandchildren-Jordan Litke, Patrick & Braeden Shannon, April O’Neill, Alex & Kelsey Renfro, Hannah, Daniel & Christopher Moler; and two sisters-Ruth (Nate) Arent of Fairplain & Berniece (Ronald) Miller of Baroda. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Melvin on October 6, 1996.