John Steinmann Jr. was born on January 29, 1939 in Keokuk, Iowa to the late John F. Steinmann Sr. and Lavinnea Adaline Willis Steinmann and departed this life on March 3, 2019 at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 80.

Mr. Steinmann grew up in Kahoka, Missouri where he and his brother George became the owner operators of the Kahoka Cheese Company established in 1936 by their father. The cheese factory provided a source of employment for the small town for almost 50 years making 1,000 pounds of cheese daily which was distributed throughout the country.  Mr. Steinmann was an active citizen of Kahoka and member of the United Church of Christ.

John Steinmann graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia and entered the Navy as a commissioned officer during the Cold War serving as a ship navigator.  He participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade. While in the Navy he married Charlotte Hein in 1961 while stationed in California and together they raised their three children in Kahoka Missouri. He was a lover of history and earned his Master’s degree in history from Truman University in Kirksville, Missouri where he lived prior to coming to Dexter.

Survivors include one son, John F. Steinmann III (Barbara) of Chapman, Nebraska,; two daughters, Lynda Jo LaFrenz (Steve) of Kearney, Missouri and Jana Flannigan (Charlie) of Dexter, Missouri; by one brother, George Steinmann of Springfield, Missouri; three sisters, Margaret Willis of Camp Pointe, Illinois; Schatzi McMillen of Door County Wisconsin and Mary Rowe of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; by eight grandchildren, Kaitlyn LaFrenz, Aaron LaFrenz, John Steinmann, Jordan Steinmann, Jenae Steinmann, Adam Flannigan (Toni), Alan Flannigan, and Selana Flannigan; also by one great-grandchild, Persephone Flannigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Peggy Estes Steinmann of Kirksville, Missouri.

Memorial service will be conducted on April 19, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Rev. Ron Beaton officiating will full military rites. 

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.