Bernice Steiner

Bernice E. Steiner, 86, of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, after a short residence at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 27, 1919, in Pocahontas, daughter of Roland and Mamie Exler Starzinger. She and Gilbert Steiner were married April 13, 1941, at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas where she was a life-long member. Gilbert passed away Oct. 27, 1981.

Bernice and Gilbert had six children, all of whom survive. Their sons are Dr. Richard Steiner and wife Diane of Tulsa, Okla.; Navy Commander Dr. Mark Steiner and wife Bertha of San Diego, Calif. The couple's daughters include Mary Ann Boren and husband Allen, Betty Scheper and husband Jim, all of Jackson, Nancy Hughes and husband Jim of Estes Park, Colo., and Barbara Mayfield of Cape Girardeau.

Their grandchildren are Doug Scheper, Lori Zieba and Lynn Boren, all of Jackson, Janet Scheper of Springfield, Mo., Heather Loe of Dallas, Texas, Heidi Campbell of Denver, Colo., Gabe Mayfield of Milan, Ohio, Dr. Tim Mayfield of Columbia, Mo., and Jessica and Rachel Steiner of San Diego. Eight great-grandchildren also survive.

Bernice is survived by a sister, Margie Engert of Frohna, Mo.; and a brother, Dillman Starzinger and wife Nelda of Jackson.

Prior to her marriage, Bernice worked in St. Louis as a housekeeper. She was a busy homemaker during her life and was a partner with Gilbert in running their dairy farm.

She was dedicated to their church community at Zion as a Sunday school teacher, Ladies Aid member, and Adult Club member. She was active in St. Paul's College Guild which supported the mission of St. Paul's College and High School in Concordia, Mo. She assisted with working at the polls for elections and was a 4-H Club leader.

After Gilbert passed away, she continued to live on the farm until 1989 when she moved to her home in Jackson. In Bernice's later years she volunteered many hours in Christian ministry to shut-ins and the aging. She was a member of a group of women who provided singing in nursing homes and of another group which made quilts for World Relief. For more than 30 years she volunteered her time sewing items for use at the Lutheran Home.

Friends may call today from 4-8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, and after 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

The funeral will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Church, with the Rev. Robert Mann officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Church Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, or Zion Cemetery Fund.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.