Roy James Steinke

Roy James Steinke, 72, of Kingsford died unexpectedly Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at DCHS. Roy was born on November 19, 1947, in Iron Mountain, the youngest of three children, to the late Dr. Charles G. and Lorraine V. (LeRoy) Steinke. Roy attended the Breitung Township Schools and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1966. He learned to play the piano, clarinet, guitar and banjo. He played golf and tennis at Kingsford and won the U.P. Singles Championship his senior year. The summer of 1966 he worked for Kimberly Clark surveying timber holdings in the U.P. Roy attended Northern Michigan University studying geography, soils and forestry. He lettered in tennis for the Wildcats his freshman year. From 1968-1969 he worked for North Central Airlines at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois as a baggage handler. In the summer of 1969, he was drafted into the army and completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served thirteen and a half months in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion 321st Artillery of the 101st Airborne. In November of 1970 he returned home from service and reentered Northern Michigan University to begin a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. Roy was married to Jane Osterberg, on August 5th, 1972 at American Martyrs Church in Kingsford. Together they raised two sons and shared a love of nature and education. Roy graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1974 and taught woodworking, drafting, welding and small engines at the Goodman-Armstrong Creek Schools for 30 years. He retired from education, but continued to work for Tadych’s Econo Foods in Iron Mountain as a stocker, bagger and delivery man. Roy was raised in the Methodist Church, and was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and lived to be at camp. He raised Labrador retrievers, was a prolific gardener and loved to can and cook. He was a cat “whisperer” to Glock and Marl. Roy was well loved and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, co-workers, and former students. Roy is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jane; his sons, Roy Steinke, Jr. and Jared M. Steinke; his grandchildren, Jared “Mikey,” Serenity “Sissy,” and Gabriel James Steinke; a sister, Ann Fondow of Merrill, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Patricia Steinke of Granbury, Texas; a brother-in-law, Larry (Chris) Osterberg of Grand Rapids, Michigan; one niece and several nephews. In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by a brother, Charles G. Steinke, Jr.; a brother-in-law, David Osterberg; and in-laws, Franklin and Thelma Osterberg. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain with the funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at the Funeral Home. Pastor Walter Reichle will officiate the service. Graveside services will be held at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain, MI. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Roy J. Steinke online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Roy James Steinke

November 19, 1947 - December 3, 2019