Francis L. "Bud" Steinebach, age 86, of Hannah, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, June 21, 2013 at Arbor House in Traverse City. He was born July 13, 1926 in Hannah to William and Josephine (Zenner) Steinebach.

Bud graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1944.

On May 14, 1955, Bud married the late Maxine Hansen at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City and they enjoyed 46 loving years of marriage. Bud was a devoted husband and father who placed caring for his family above all else.

He built his home in Hannah from a Liberty Homes kit the year before he married Maxine. It was built in an open field and he planted trees and shrubs which he nurtured over the years. Gardens were planted which provided ample food for the family and were used to teach the children the responsibilities of being part of a family. He instilled a strong work ethic by requiring his children to pull weeds, pick strawberries, and water plants and trees in the yard.

Bud worked for Traverse City Iron Works as a machinist for 33 years. He then worked for Elmbrook Golf Course for nine seasons as a groundskeeper.

He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's of Hannah Catholic Church and he enjoyed deer hunting, tinkering in his garage, chopping wood for the wood burner, and gardening in his spare time. Bud was an avid Tiger baseball fan.

He was a kind, gentle man with a keen sense of humor who will be dearly missed by those who knew him well. "Cheerio."

Bud is survived by four children: Laura (Timothy) Sorg of Springboro, OH, Ellen (Brian) McManus of Midland, Donna (Tom Lipps) Steinebach of Port Orange, FL, and Brian Steinebach of Hannah; eight grandchildren: Jonathan (Kristen) Sorg, Matthew Sorg, Brandon Sorg, Valerie (Salah Qutaishat) McManus, Julie McManus, Bradley McManus, Rebecca Steinebach, and Megan Steinebach; one great granddaughter Petra Qutaishat; and sister Marilyn (Frank) Bott of Hannah.

Besides his parents, Bud was preceded in death by his wife Maxine in 2002; siblings: Marie Baynton, Joan Ross, Dorothy Homrich, William Steinebach, Joseph Steinebach, Wilma Rothenthaler, Rita Pahl, Virginia Fasel, Juanita Steinebach, and infant twins Mary and Joseph Steinebach.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to caregivers Cindy Acker of Cindy's Place, Michael and Cornelia Popp of Four Maples Retirement Home, and Cindy Robertson and staff of Arbor House for their compassionate and loving care.

A visitation will be held Monday, June 24, 2013 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Covell Funeral Home in Kingsley, with a scripture service at 7 pm. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 10 am at St. Mary's of Hannah Catholic Church. Burial will take place at St. Mary's of Hannah Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Bud's name may be directed to Hospice of Michigan.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Kingsley.

TRAVERSE CITY RECORD-EAGLE, Traverse City, Mich., Sun., Jun. 23, 2013

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