Sylvester Steinbach

First and foremost, Sylvester S. Steinbach was a family man; he loved his son unconditionally, and many of his happiest memories in life involved the thirty-seven years he spent with his beloved wife. He was a reserved and somewhat private man, yet he was kindhearted and polite. His humility and unassuming nature made him a pleasure to be around.

1935 was a harsh time in our nation’s history. The mid 1930s were the worst years of the Great Depression, when the economic crunch took a toll on everything from the largest factory to the smallest family. Though times were tough, hope shone like a beacon on the horizon. A new and invigorated president aimed to lift this country back onto the pedestal of greatness. It was a decade of change – an era that left an indelible mark on those who lived through it.

Sylvester “Syl” entered this evolving world on August 14, 1935, in Honor, Michigan, to proud parents, Henry and Mary (Harwood) Steinbach. Growing up the youngest of ten children, life was not always easy and the Depression era family often found themselves in the wake of hardships. The Steinbach family, though, was close-knit and held firm by things money couldn’t buy. Syl’s father managed to eek out a living working as the town’s firewatcher while the family grew and hunted most of what they ate. However, tragedy struck when Syl was a young boy of five. His father died, leaving Mary to care for their children alone. They soon moved in with Mary’s father who became the father figure in Syl’s life. Heartbreak would again strike the family when Syl’s two oldest brothers died just a few weeks apart in Italy during World War II. Despite these tragedies, Syl was able to enjoy his childhood, playing baseball and swimming in Platte River in the summer, and wintertime fun with ice hockey, if you could find a frozen pond.

After graduating from Benzonia High School, Syl enlisted with the U.S. Army and served in the 1st Infantry Division patrolling the Rocky Mountains, which led him to learn to ski in Colorado. During his military service, he was also trained in artillery, transportation and as a drill instructor. Because of a childhood bout with rheumatic fever, Syl remained in the states until his honorable discharge.

Feeling young and free, Syl moved to California with a friend after the Army, where he worked in a furniture factory and gas station, while enjoying the wide-open space to ride his motorcycle. A couple of years later, his mother fell ill and Syl returned home to be with her until her passing a short time later. He stayed in Honor and took a job at the National Music Camp in Interlochen in the maintenance department. Later he transferred to the mail center where he learned the trade of a print pressman, which was the start of his lifelong career.

Up to this point, Syl was a confirmed bachelor; that was until he met Jeannette Ruth Brandt, who worked in the office at the Camp. Opposites attract, they say and this was the case with Syl and Jeannette, for he was quite bashful while she was very outgoing. After four years of talking and wooing on Jeannette’s part, she finally won his heart and they were married on October 7, 1967, and honeymooned in the Upper Peninsula. They were truly a match made in heaven and as long as they had each other to share their laughter and love with, they didn’t need material things to make them happy. Wanting to provide the best for his new wife, Syl and Jeannette moved to Petosky, where he found work at the local newspaper. After two years, they made another move to Grand Rapids where Syl found an even better job at Etheridge Printing. He was a hard worker and dedicated employee of Etheridge for thirty years and came to consider them as family.

Not long after settling in Grand Rapids, Syl and Jeannette welcomed the birth of their son, Gary. Syl loved being a father and would do anything for his son. He was always active and supportive of everything Gary did. From ice-skating and Cub Scouts to learning to ride a bike, Syl’s passion was to support his family. As a disciplinarian, Syl was an ole softy and was slow to criticize. In fact, his constructive criticism was so positively accentuated, that you didn’t even realize you were being chastised.

A man of many interests and talents, Syl was a real jack of all trade. Whether it involved carpentry, electrical or mechanical work, he could fix it. He enjoyed the outdoors, grilling and tending to his precious garden of flowers, especially the roses. As a youngest child, all he wanted to do was get outdoors and run around while now, in his later years, simply sitting and taking in the beauty of nature was more than enough. A real sports fan, Syl liked to cheer on his favorite teams, Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings, whether on television or attending a game with his son. Golfing was another sport he truly enjoyed watching, perhaps because of the beautiful scenery because he never actually golfed a day in his life. The sport he was most passionate about though was bowling. He played for many years at Northfield Lanes on a couple’s league with his wife as well as on a men’s league. Unfortunately, Syl suffered a heart attack at the age of 50, which caused him to slow down his activities. He and Jeannette had planned to do some traveling after he retired, but due to his weakened health, Syl didn’t want to venture far from home and it be too burdensome on his wife.

Throughout his life, Syl was a dedicated husband and father. He made his family his first priority and put their needs before his own. As a kind and tenderhearted person, he naturally drew people into his life. Although Syl was a quiet and humble man, his actions spoke volumes for his character.

Sylvester S. Steinbach of Grand Rapids, MI, died on Thursday, November 4, 2004. His family includes his wife of 37 years, Jeannette Steinbach; his son, Gary Steinbach; his sister, Emma Burres; and his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Leonard Brandt and Alma (Richard) Haase.

Life Story Services for Syl will be held on Monday, November 8, at 1 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Friends may spend time with Syl’s family at the funeral chapel on Sunday, November 7, from 3-5 p.m. and on Monday, November 8, from 12 noon until the time of the service. Interment in Fairplains Cemetery. Please visit Syl’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.