Ralph Russell Steinkuhler, 87

Ralph Russell Steinkuhler, 87, of Sedalia, passed away Monday, August 5, 2013, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Warrensburg.

He was born September 1, 1925, in Sweet Springs, MO, son of John and Flora Miller Steinkuhler.  On November 18, 1950, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, he married Juanita Justine Vinson Brown.

Ralph was a veteran of WWII where he served in campaigns in Northern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe.  He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters,  EAME Theater Ribbon,  American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.  Following the war, he worked as a carpenter in the Sedalia area, including many years as a supervisor for Dean Construction Company.  He was a member of First Baptist Church, the VFW, and the Carpenter's Union.

Surviving are:  two sisters Naomi and Kathryn Steinkuhler of Columbia and a brother Glen Steinkuhler (and Helen) of Sweet Springs; a daughter Sharon Brown Cary (and Mike) of Sedalia;  Sharon's children Becky Keightley Scott and Russell Perkins (and LaDonna) of Sedalia; Russell and LaDonna's children Maxx, Ryan, Tristan, Lucas, and Christopher; Becky's children Richard and Justin;  Mike's son John Cary of Sedalia;  and John's daughter Madison.

He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita, sisters Mary, Dorothy, and Hazel, and brother Paul.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 9, 2013 at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia, with Pastor Ed Broyles officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Crown Hill Cemetery directly following the funeral service. The family will receive friends at Rea Funeral Chapel from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2013.

Pallbearers are Maxx and Ryan Perkins, and M.C., Kyle, and Matt Thierfelder.  Honorary pallbearers are Glen Steinkuhler, Justin and Richard Scott, Tristan and Lucas Perkins, and Christopher Boehm.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Veteran's Home of Warrensburg.