John (Jack) R. Steimann, Sr., of St. Louis MO, became a restful soul on Monday January 1, 2018. Jack lived his entire life in Dogtown with his wife Loretta (nee Woelich), where they raised their four children. Children include John Jr. (Julie Eisenbeis), Terry Pinkston (Tim Pinkston), Janie Lewis (late Vernon Lewis Jr.) and Joseph Steimann (Michelle Buhr).

In addition to four children they have five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Grandchildren include Amy Crews, Knute Schneider (and wife Stephanie), Joshua Lewis (and wife Aimee), Jessica Capkovic (and husband Steve), and Briana Steimann. Great-granchildren include Isabel (Amy), Alex, Abby, Luke, Caleb (Jessica), and Jackson (Knute). His youngest great-grandchild, Jackson, was named in honor of Jack. He loved his grandchildren, and they love him.

Family was the center of Jack’s life, and he never missed a chance to spend time with them, or help them any way he could.

Jack and Loretta were no strangers in the Dogtown community. They owned a business in the 1970’s known as Plants etc., where neighbors far and near were known to gather for classes in ceramics or macrame. They had a snow cone stand out the side door that drew crowds in the summertime for a cool refreshment.

Jack was an avid sports enthusiast and played softball well into his sixties. He can be seen pictured as coach in many Dogtown Khoury League photos and was a sought-after slow-pitch pitcher. He was recruited by and played with the KSHE 95 softball team for several years in the 70’s. During the eighties, he soon saw himself leaving the greens of the fields and taking to the ice, as their youngest became a powerhouse goalie in the St. Louis Hockey scene.

Jack was a tinkerer and a car guy, and could always be found fixing things or seen driving one of his beloved Oldsmobiles. He retired from Carlson Oldsmobile in 1996, after working there for most of his adult life. As a teenager, he worked the clay mines south of Scullin Steel, like many other teens in the neighborhood. He was known for his hard-working, dutiful and loyal values.

Jack and Loretta’s other passion was camping. Their adventures took them and their kids all over the country! There was always a boat in the yard and the Steimann’s could always be found in or on a body of water somewhere. As a young family, while raising their kids, they belonged to a camp club known as the Pepsi-Fal-Stag Campers. In retirement, they joined a little community of campers at Carlyle Lake known as the Belleville Boat Club (Some passions never die). Many of their greatest friends were fellow camping families.

As the kids left the nest, Jack and Loretta took up a new adventure in Porcelain Dolls. They traveled all over the Midwest selling the beautiful dolls that Loretta would produce with lots of help from Jack, out of their doll factory set up in their basement.

Jack lived a long and happy life filled with much joy and laughter. He always had a story to tell and never met a stranger. We rejoice in his life, and are thankful that it was long and fulfilling.

He was the youngest of seven children born to William and Susan (nee Bray) Steimann, all of whom have preceded him in death.

Please help us remember Mr. Steimann, with kindness in your heart, and join us on Saturday, January 13^th, 2018 at St. James the Greater Church, 1360 Tamm Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139, meeting room of the school, located at the side entrance on Wade Avenue (handicap accessible) from 5-9pm. All are welcome. We will serve buffet style dinner, so please RSVP. We will gather to reminisce and share our stories, pictures, and remember his legacy, and hope that you will share your stories too.