Leonard Fredrick Steinke

Leonard Fredrick Steinke, 93, of North Fort Myers, Florida, died Monday, February 25, 2013. A private service will be held for the family, with burial at North Shore Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Those wishing to sign Leonard’s online Memory Book may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Leonard was born June 13, 1919, in Coloma, MI, to Adolph and Olga (Kort) Steinke. He married Marion (Geik) Steinke on November 14, 1942. He and his family were members of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor, MI for many years, the same church in which he was married. Leonard was raised on a fruit farm in Coloma, MI. This led him to become an avid farmer and he grew many varieties of fruits and vegetables. Then in 1956 he moved his family to Benton Harbor and took up a career as a machinist at Benton Harbor Engineering, which he pursued for 13 years. When he was nearly 50 years old Leonard entered the construction industry as a general laborer and was quickly promoted to an iron worker for Holland Construction Company. After many years of hard work Leonard and his wife moved to North Fort Myers, FL and joined Saint Michael Lutheran Church. He loved gardening, shuffle boarding and traveling. He is survived by his three children, Brian (Sharon) Steinke of South Bend, IN; Constance (Gary) Sanders of Stevensville, MI; Alan Steinke of South Bend, IN; brother-in-law Alfred Geik of St. Joseph, MI; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marion, and four sisters.