The Passing of my Uncle Cal Steunenberg

I will post more in the coming days but wanted to get this obituary written by Sheri Beersman Steunenberg, Cal's granddaughter, posted on the blog right away. You can view it and other information about funeral arrangements, flowers, signing the guest book, etc at the Butler Funeral Home website. (no longer a good link)

Carroll Arthur Steunenberg
(May 19, 1913 - May 21, 2009)

Carroll “Cal” Arthur Steunenberg of Morrisville, passed away on May 21, 2009 at 2:00 a.m. at Citizen’s Memorial Hospital following a sudden illness. Cal was born May 19, 1913 in Caldwell, Idaho to Julian Pope and Frances Wood Steunenberg. He was the middle of five children. Cal was the grandson of the fourth Governor of Idaho, Frank Steunenberg, who was assassinated in 1905.

Cal was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jule and Frank “Bud” Steunenberg, and one sister, Doris Knowles. He was also preceded in death by two children, Raymond Arthur and Maureen May.

Cal grew up in Idaho, Washington, and California, where, during the Great Depression, he joined the CCC using his older brother’s name and went to work to try to help support his family. Eventually, Cal became a Batallion Sergeant Major in the United States Army and served as a radio operator in the South Pacific during World War II. He worked for Mobile Oil as an electrician following his honorable discharge from the Army, where he received several medals and awards for conduct and service. Cal (W6WFV) also held a HAM Radio operator’s license with the Federal Communications Commission for more than 65 years and was a member of the American Radio Relay League for more than 40 years.

Cal moved from California to Missouri to live with his granddaughter, Sheri and her family in 2001. He has enjoyed many years of laughter, love, and happiness in the company of his family and will be dearly missed every single day.

Cal leaves behind his beloved granddaughter, Sheri Beersman, of Morrisville and her husband Wes, his cherished great grand children, LCpL Christopher Cable, USMC and his wife Reagan, both of Morrisville, Lauren Cable, of Willard and her fiancé, Shawn Cook of Brighton, and Danielle Beersman, of Morrisville. He is also survived by his son, Roy Steunenberg, of Put-in-Bay, OH and his wife, Mary, his granddaughter, Carri Carnahan of Mooresville, IN, and his great-granddaughter, Eden also of Mooresville, IN. He is survived by his grandson, Scott Cable, of Maryville, one sister, Brenda Richards of Paso Robles, CA and her husband John, his dear long time friends, Marilou Brennan and Gedney Gallagher of Palm Desert, CA, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. A graveside service with full military honors provided by the AMVETS Post #114 of Flemington, Missouri will take place at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri on Wednesday, May 27 at 2:00 p.m. under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Dr. Ray Leininger will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Shawn Cook, Chris Cable, Kenneth Cable and the AMVETS Post #114 of Flemington, Missouri.

Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com