Leo S. Steinke

Leo S. Steinke, 90, died on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 3:43 PM at Dorothy Love Retirement Community, 3003 W. Cisco Rd., Sidney. He was born March 2, 1922 in Fryburg, Ohio the son of Ferd and Cecelia (Frankenberg) Steinke and they are deceased. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Wapakoneta, Ohio and then moved to Botkins, Ohio and graduated from high school there in 1940. He then began working for the B and O Railroad for 42 years. He left only to serve in World War II in the United States Army where he served from 1942-1945. He fought in both Africa and Italy and served under General Patton . He was able to visit the Vatican and got to shake hands with Pope Pius the XII. He met and married Mary Catherine Dunn on November 20, 1946. She passed away in 1991. Surviving are one daughter, Karen Mehrbrodt and husband Brian of Bowling Green, Illinois; two grandchildren, Lauren and Corbin Mehrbrodt; two sisters, Fredonia Staley of Sidney, Ohio and Virginia Burden and husband Richard of Botkins, Ohio; two brothers, Albin Steinke of Fryburg, Ohio and Don Steinke of Sidney, Ohio; Three sisters, Martha Holthaus, Delores Schaub and Marie Steinke and two brothers, Eugene Steinke and Nester Steinke are deceased. He was a member of the Sidney American Legion since 1946. Leo was devoutly involved in parish life at his church, Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney. He was affectionately known by many as 'Father Leo'. A lifelong Catholic and longtime member of Holy Angels, he served as Lector since 1965 and trained new lectors for many years. He served as a Eucharistic Minister since 1973. He took communion to the hospital and local retirement homes. He counted the church collection every Monday. He helped as a leading fundraiser when the church was renovated. He was very involved in the Knights of Columbus in Sidney. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 1941 and was a current member of the Sidney Council 659. He earned his 4th degree around 1983. He served as financial secretary for 39 years; served as District Deputy for four years, with responsibility for four councils; served as Grand Knight for two terms; served as Trustee for three terms; currently served on Sidney Council First Degree team; previously served on a Second Degree team; currently served on the Sidney Council Third Degree team and traveled throughout the state and to both Indiana and Kentucky; lead the council prayer service when a member passed away; served on many Honor Guards, including for the Bishop; walked many parades with 4th degree, including recent Corpus Christi parade; stood guard for other 4th degree members funeral services; stood guard for 3rd degree members funeral service; worked nearly every fish fry since Council 659 started them over 20 years ago; coordinated annual Knights of Columbus sponsored Living Rosary at Holy Angels; served as the long-term chair on Council 659's Measure-Up Charity Campaign and raised thousands of dollars over the years, including over $2400 in 2010; attended many State Conventions; coordinated fellow Knights for Holy Angels Parish Picnic Bingo; was the current namesake of the 'Leo Steinke Lifetime Achievement' Award that was created 10 years ago by the Sidney Council 659 to honor a highly active member; he was a strong supporter of Lehman Catholic High School; sold tickets at Lehman Catholic High School football/basketball games since 1970; called Bingo at the school for 30 years; was President of Lehman Catholic High School Athletics Boosters for over 20 years; was a fundraiser leader for Lehman Catholic High School building addition; was inducted to the Lehman Hall of Fame in 2011; worked the election polls for many years; started and coordinated 'The Digger O'Dell' crew of pallbearers for those in need and coordinated an annual community blood drive. Friends may call at Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home in Sidney on Friday, August 24, 2012 from 2-5 PM and 6-8 PM. A Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree service will be held at the funeral home at 6:45 PM and a Knights of Columbus 4th Degree service will be held at the funeral home at 7:45 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Daniel Hess. Burial with full military honors will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Sidney. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lehman Scholarship Fund, in memory of Leo S. Steinke, 2400 St. Mary's Rd., Sidney, Ohio 45365. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. 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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