Dorothy R. Steinke

St. Joseph ? Dorothy Ruth (Cereske) Steinke was called home to her Lord Thursday, June 6, 2002 at her home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 10, at 11:00am, at St. Matthew?s Evangelical Church 671 McAllister, Benton Harbor, with Pastor Ron Freier and Vicar Michael Carr officiating. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 4-8pm, Sunday, June 9, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew?s Evangelical Church. Those wishing to share a memory on line may do so in the ?Guestbook? at www.starks-menchinger.com Dorothy was born July 28, 1918, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Gustav and Caroline Cereske. She married Elmer E. Steinke on August 18, 1940 in Benton Harbor. Dorothy served her Lord throughout her life. She was a member of St. Matthew?s Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed and raised her family to love and serve their Lord. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Aid Society. Dorothy volunteered throughout her life. She served as Vice President of the United Cerebral Palsy Association for many years. She received awards for her continual service as a volunteer at Orchard Grove Nursing Home from 1975 to 1999. Dorothy worked at VM Corporation from 1956 until 1975 and then was a driving force behind the VM ?Old Timers? get-togethers. She leaves to cherish her memories: Her son Art (Drema) Steinke, three daughters ? LoisAnn (Richard) Lentz, Linda (Jack) Dodd, Susan Steinke; 10 grandchildren ? Stephanie and Laura Steinke, Rick Lentz, Michelle (Mark) Boelcke, Kristi (Armando) Cajina, Ron (Denise) Dodd, Debbie (Greg) Walther, Steve (Jennifer) Dodd, Jennifer (Steve) Chandler, Jackie (Nick) Kirk; 14 great-grandchildren, 5 nephews, 3 nieces, 12 cousins, two sister-in-laws ? Ruth Gersonde and Ester Steinke and countless friends. Her parents, her husband, her brother, Arthur Cereske and her two sisters, Sylvia Steinke and Elsie Soper, preceded her in death.