Donald L. Steinke

Donald L. Steinke, 81, 67 S. Meadow Lane, Sidney, Ohio passed away at the Fair Haven Shelby County Home on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 7:50 AM after a short illness.   He was born October 30, 1933 in Wapakoneta, Ohio the son of Ferd and Celia (Frankenburg) Steinke and they preceded him in death.   On May 30, 1964 he married the love of his life, Martha Merritt who passed away on January 27, 2011 after 46 2/3 years together.   Their union of love gave them two children, Mark J. Steinke and Theresa E. (Richard) Winemiller who survive along with two sisters, Ferdonia Staley of Sidney, Ohio and Virginia (Richard) Burden of Botkins, Ohio, one brother, Albin of Wapakoneta, Ohio and one sister-in-law, Alice Steinke of Wapakoneta, Ohio.   Many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces all fondly referred to him as Uncle Donnie.   Donald grew up as a farmer in rural Rhine and graduated from Botkins High School where he played basketball.   Sports were always a love of his.   After graduation, he tried out for the Philadelphia Phillies only he didn’t make it.   He went to work for Ferguson Construction Company while still farming.   A few years after he graduated, he was drafted into the Army where he spent most of his time in Germany.   After returning home, he farmed and then worked in construction.   When his parents sold their farm, he decided farm life wasn’t for him and moved to town with them.   His love of wood had won out; he retired in 1998 after 47 years with Ferguson Construction Company.   After retiring, he could be found in his garage building all types of wood projects during the winter.   In the summer time, he could be found in his yard or his garden that he put out every year.   Besides woodworking, his other past time was sports.  He took his daughter to see the Cincinnati Reds play when they were still in Riverfront stadium.   That is the one memory that will always stay in her heart.   He was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan.   If he couldn’t see them on TV, he would listen to them on the radio.   He was also a fan of the Cleveland Browns.   He loved to play cards, especially euchre; his immediate family played every Sunday until his failing eyesight kept him from enjoying it.   Besides his parents and wife, he will joining three brothers, Leo (Catherine), Gene, and baby brother Nestor who had died in infancy before his was born.   Three sisters are waiting for him, a baby sister Marie, Martha (Clem) Holthaus, Dolores (Bernard) Schaub, and sister-in-law, Polly Steinke plus three nephews, and a great nephew and great niece.   Anyone who owns a piece of furniture or something that Don made will know the passions that he put into it.   Donnie, as he was known to many friends and family, will be greatly missed.   Donnie touched so many lives through his love of family, friends, former co-workers, and his passion for wood.   Whenever he would meet someone, he would try to brighten their day by creating good humor.   Friends may call at Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 5-8 PM.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 10:30 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Frank Amberger.   Burial will follow at Shelby Memory Gardens, Sidney.   Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society, c/o Mary Stahlman, 128 Leisure St., Sidney, Ohio  45365 or Wilson Hospice, 1083 Fairington Dr., Sidney, Ohio  45365.   Condolences may be expressed to the Steinke family on Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home’s web site at:   www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com

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