Agnes J. Steinke

Agnes J. Steinke, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, October 19, 2009 in St. Joseph, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 10:00 A.M at Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, 3001 Veronica Dr., St. Joseph, MI 49085 with Pastor Dan Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Friday from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Memorials may be made to Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ in St. Joseph or Lakeland Hospice. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book on line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Agnes was born on July 25, 1921 in Chicago, IL to Gustav and Ruth (Rutkoskie) Steinke. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1939. Agnes was a bookkeeper for many local businesses including Benton Harbor Fruit Market, ABCC Division of Whirlpool, West Michigan Electric and Bartz Pontiac and Johnson Pontiac Dealerships in Benton Harbor. Since 1977, Agnes was Secretary of The American Legion Auxillary Post 163 of St. Joseph. She was an active member and volunteer at Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ in St. Joseph. She was an avid University of Michigan Wolverines sports fan where she had season tickets to their football games for 32 years. Agnes was also a devoted Chicago Cubs Fan. She loved to paint, travel, golf, knit, sail and play Wii. Most of all, she cherished spending time with family and friends. Agnes is survived by a brother, James F. Steinke of St. Joseph, a sister, Carolyn Ruth Ziemer of St. Joseph; Ten nieces and nephews; Fifteen grand nieces and nephews; Seven, great grand nieces and nephews; and many loving friends. She is preceded in death by a brother, John on October 17, 2009, a sister, Cathryn on April 29, 2008, and her parents, Gustav and Ruth.