August "Gus" Steiner

August “Gus” Steiner, 94, of Springfield, crossed the Jordan at home on Monday, May 10, 2021, with his loving family by his side. He was ready and grateful. Gus lived a full life that was devoted to serving God in all that he did. Like all of us, he was not a perfect person, but Gus was an amazing one, who even at almost 95, would try to learn from his mistakes.

He was born in Bland, MO on July 27, 1926, to August and Ella Steiner. They were the ones who ushered him across the Jordan into the arms of our loving God. Gus married the love of his life, Marjorie Brooks Miller, on June 6, 1948, in Olean, MO. The church was decorated with literally every lily that was growing in that small town.

He served in the Navy during World War II.

Gus trained as a mechanical engineer and worked for the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department from 1949 to 1981. He loved the work that he did. After this, Gus managed his own heating and air conditioning business. He attended Central Methodist College, University of Illinois, Rice Institute (Houston, TX), and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1949.

Gus was the School Board President in Holts Summit, MO in the 1950s and helped build the Holts Summit Church that stood across from his home in Holts Summit. He was President of Missouri Baptist Men in the 60s and was a deacon, Sunday School superintendent, and Sunday School teacher for decades at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson City.

Nothing describes him better than the story of when he decided that his home in Holts Summit needed a basement. Gus started digging the basement himself with a tablespoon. By himself, with his little girls bringing him tools and helping to cart away the dirt, he built the basement under the house that still stands across from the little church in Holts Summit.

Those little girls, Carol Sue Breuer and her husband, Max Breuer of Portage, MI and Linda Leigh Steiner and husband, David Decker of Springfield, IL crazy love him. As do his grandsons, David Patt and his wife, Julie Jedlicka, and their three children, Simone, Otis, and Ada who live in Kansas City and Daniel Patt and his wife, Virginie, and their children, Laila and Cyan who live in Boston; his sister, Dorothy Spurgeon of Kimberling City, MO; and of course, their pup, Marco. Gus loved his dogs over the years— Tawny, Merlin, and Tigre.

He was not afraid to face difficulties in life, of which there were many, and not afraid to face death, which Gus referred to as crossing the Jordan. As his earthly body diminished, he became pure gold…all earthly longings and needs falling away, leaving only refined gold. We wish that for all of us. Life well-lived dear papa, grandpapa, friend, and husband.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.