Bernard Steinke

Bernard J. “Bernie” Steinke of Lima died in the afternoon of March 8, 2016, at the age of 89. He was born in Botkins, Ohio on Sept. 24, 1926, one of six children born to Clem R. and Frances (Kinstle) Steinke. Bernie was a devoted husband who married Marjorie “Marge” Brockert on October 25, 1952.

He was a gentle, kind soul and a hardworking man who for many years was a well-respected and trustworthy mechanic. He practiced his trade for nearly twenty years in and around Botkins, Ohio, until moving north to Lima with his wife and young children in the early 1960s. In Lima he spent the next twenty-plus years working for Timmerman Ford, then Clark Equipment and finally General Dynamics until he retired. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and F.O.E. Aerie #370, both in Lima.

Bernie was a father of six. Two children preceded him in death: Douglas at the age of 19 in 1975 and Kimberly at the age of 23 in 1988. Four of his children survive: Greg (Karen) Steinke of Springboro, Ohio, Bev (Jay) Shindledecker and Jeff Steinke, both of Lima, and Bruce (Dina) Steinke of Woodbridge, VA; ten grandchildren: Carolynne (Jeff) Parker, Michael (Stacy) Steinke, Jennifer (Claude) Poole, Kyle (Cait) Shindledecker and Zack (Danielle) Shindledecker, Sarah (Josh) Young, Laura (Terry) Wreede, Dylan, Tevin and Chaney Steinke; and twelve great-grandchildren: Jordyn, Kayla, Mackenzie and Jacob Parker, Cayden and Grace Poole, Addie, Bella and Alicia Young, Colin, Blake and Ariel Wreede, and Ben Steinke.

Surviving siblings, all in Ohio, include Jeanette (Frank) Thaman of Sidney, Betty Kinninger of Wapakoneta, Paul J. Steinke of Botkins, and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Steinke, of Dayton. Two brothers, Bob and Leroy Steinke, passed before him.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 12, 2016, in St. Rose Catholic Church, with Fr. J. Norbert Howe officiating. Burial will follow in Gethsemani Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Friday from 2-4, and 6-8 p.m. at Siferd-Orians Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose Parish.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.siferd-oriansfuneralhome.com