| Sources |
- [S24] 1920 US Federal Census, (www.ancestry.com).
Name: Louis F Steimel
Home in 1920: Bingham, Leelanau, Michigan
Age: 2
[2 9/12]
Estimated birth year: abt 1918
[abt 1917]
Birthplace: Michigan
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Franz Erdh
Father's Birth Place: Michigan
Mother's Birth Place: Michigan
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Sex: Male
- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Sgt Frank L Steimel
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Birth: Dec. 21, 1917
Death: Aug. 27, 2006
Sgt US Army, World War II
FRANK L. STEIMEL, age 88, died Sunday, August 27, 2006, at his residence in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He was born December 21, 1917, in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Resident of Sterling Heights, and former resident of Troy.
Occupation: Firefighter (retired) for the City of Highland Park
Mr. Steimel loved his family most, and was an avid fisherman and bowler. He loved to stay busy and his family said that could take on any job. He was a huge Detroit Tigers fan. He was a member of the Clawson-Troy Elks Lodge.
Military: He was a proud U.S. Army veteran (1940 – 1945), serving in the Philippines during WW II. He earned 1 Service Stripe, 2 Service Bars, an Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/2 Bronze Battle Stars, a Liberation Ribbon w/2 Bronze Battle Stars, and World War II Victory Medal.
Frank's Story ~~
Frank Steimel was born December 21, 1917, in one of Michigan's most popular tourist areas, Suttons Bay, just north of Traverse City. However, in 1917 it was not quite so comfortable. The area was being settled by several immigrant groups. Polish, Italian and Germans favored their own communities. Frank's father, Joseph, though born in Michigan, never learned to speak English! His mother, Louise Hahnenberg Steimel gave birth to 14 children, 12 of which survived to adulthood. Louise loved to sing and play the piano. Frank often tells the story of the day their wooden frame house caught fire. He and his brothers tried desperately to save Mom's piano, but it wouldn't fit through the doorway. They had to give up and watch helplessly as their home and possessions were lost.
Life was hard in those times. Frank at about age 18, left the farm and followed several of his siblings to the land of opportunity, Detroit. He quickly got a job at Packard Motor Co. Big things were brewing in those times. WW II was on the horizon and Frank got caught in the first draft, November of 1940, for a term of one year. After his year was up, he called his sister, Ann in Detroit to pick him up at Ft. Custer in Battle Creek. (Quite a drive in 1941.) When she arrived he was told his papers weren't ready, so she had to return without him. One week later he called, this time everything was in order. She drove to Battle Creek again, only to have his release cancelled at the last minute. This time his release was delayed indefinitely. A month later he got a 5-day pass and decided to "hitch" home so he wouldn't bother his sister. While "hitching" back 5 days later, riding in a kind stranger's car on December 7, 1941, he heard on the radio Pearl Harbor had been attacked and WW II was on. Now he was in for the duration. Being already trained, Frank became a trainer in Michigan, Arizona and California for amphibious tank training.
He met his bride-to-be (Jean Maxbauer) during a leave from Battle Creek (just before hearing the leaves were cancelled – imagine the frustration!). They were married in May of 1942. Once, Jean rode a train all the way to Arizona to be with him for a five-day pass. The day she arrived it was cancelled and he was transferred. On her return to Michigan, a telegram was waiting: "I'm in Monterey, California – come if you can." She didn't even unpack her suitcase, got back on the train and want all the way to California. The train was so crowded with servicemen getting first priority, she had to sit on her suitcase for the three-day trip (this was true love).
Frank was eventually shipped to the Pacific and saw two years of combat, including landing at Okinawa.
Returning from the War, Frank resumed his job at Packard but left shortly after, for a more secure job with the Highland Park, Michigan, Fire Department.
He enjoyed fishing, bowling and being constantly busy.
With 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, he enjoyed a full and happy life. Frank spent his life as a contributor, not someone on the sidelines.
Surviving Wife: Jeanette "Jean" (Maxbauer) Steimel – married for 64 years
Surviving Daughters: Patricia Henricksen (Noel) and Nancy Sistek (Rick)
Surviving Sons: James (Faye), Joseph (Nancy) and John (Julie)
Grandchildren: 12
Great-grandchildren: 18
Surviving Sister: Edith Herzina
Visitation: Tuesday, August 29, 2006, from 6-8 PM, and Wednesday, August 30, 2006, from 1-8 PM at A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, MI (between Maple and Big Beaver Roads), with a Lodge of Sorrow Service Wednesday at 7 PM and a Scripture Service at 7:30 PM.
Funeral Mass: Thursday, August 31, 2006 – 10:00 AM at Guardian Angels Church, 581 East 14 Mile Road, Clawson, with Hoang C. Lam officiating
Burial:
Great Lakes National Cemetery
Holly
Oakland County
Michigan, USA
Plot: SECTION 5 SITE 906
Created by: Twist
Record added: Jan 15, 2009
Find A Grave Memorial# 32945950
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1917 - 2006 (88 years)
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