Charles " The Tuna" Steinike, age 76, died Friday evening at Mercy Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born on May 10, 1929 to the late Robert and Frieda (Mittelstadt) Steinike. On March 21, 1951, Charlie married Rose Marie Sarafiny. She preceded him in death on December 9, 1997.
Charlie was a Master Sailmaker for the renowned Oshkosh company: Lincoln H. Foster. He was also employed by Gibson Chevrolet, by national furniture maker the Buckstaff Company of Oshkosh and by Mueller Plymouth Lincoln Mercury. Charlie, affectionately known as "Tuna" to his friends, loved sailing. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, spending time in Pensacola, Florida in the mid 1940's and playing football for the Navy. Charlie crewed on the famous Buckstaff boat "The Lakefly" (J-46) and on the "John D." in the regattas of the 1950's, '60's, and '70's where he was a recipient of the Johnson Trophy. He crewed on the A-boat: "The Mad Zephyr" in the Interlake Yachting Association with his pals, the Catlin brothers, Jim, Chris and Tim. Charlie sailed in the Chicago-Mackinac race and in the SORC (Southern Ocean Racing Circuit) in the Caribbean with his good friend Jim Catlin. In the later years Charlie raced as a crew and helmsman with his friends Joe and Murial Schiff, in the Pioneer Marina Sailing Regattas, and with Paul and Sandy Ansfield in the Pioneer Marina and the Green Bay Sailing Regattas. He enjoyed sailing in the Caribbean with the Schiff's. Charlie also represented the Oshkosh sailing community by acting as a representative to the Lake Michigan Handicap Racing Fleet in the late '80's and early '90's.
Charlie treasured his very close friendship and all his travels to the "white sand, blue water, and green trees" with Todd Mueller. The "Tuna" even played matchmaker using his charm to get his ol' buddy Todd a date with Natanja Bishop (now Todd's fiance) during a trip a few years ago. When Charlie was not sailing, he enjoyed cruising the countryside with his friend Nancy (Young) Leatherwood, and visiting his grandnieces Elizabeth and Lindsey Steinike. Prior to the death of his brother, Jim, Charlie enjoyed many weekends trading stories by the wood pellet stove at Jim and Bev's house. Charlie loved making jewelry out of the shells and other items he picked up while walking the beaches of the Caribbean. He will be greatly missed by many who's lives he touched.
Charlie is survived by Jim's wife: Beverly Steinike of Oshkosh; brothers: Robert (Bonnie) Steinike, Richard Steinike, both of Oshkosh; and William (Arloa) Steinike, of Grafton, Wisconsin; several nieces, nephews; and many friends.
Preceding Charlie in death are his awesome and loving wife, Rose Marie; parents, Robert and Frieda Steinike, very special and close brother, James Steinike; brother and sister-in-law, Nolan and Marie Steinike; sister-in-law, June Steinike; nephew, Andrew Steinike; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert and Rose Sarafiny; brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Gloria Sarafiny; his long time friends Joe Schiff and Alan Gibson, as well as numerous other friends.
A Celebration of Life service to honor Charlie will be held at 11:00 A.M., on June 5, 2005, in the ballroom at the Pioneer Resort and Marina, 1000 Pioneer Drive, where over the years Charlie sailed many sails. The Celebration will continue with a Caribbean flare following the service until 3:00 P.M. A memorial fund is being established to advance the art of sailing for young less fortunate children in the area. It will be called the "Charlie "Tuna" Steinike Youth Sailing Education Fund."
Thank you to all of the wonderful nurses in the ICU at Mercy Medical Center, who cared for the Tuna, and of course, to Dr. Jerome who did his best to help Charlie. Very special thank you to Beverly Steinike, Jim and Carol Catlin, and Todd Mueller, for their vigilant care and concern in honoring Charlie's wishes and requests during, and after, his illness.
Seefeld Funeral and
Cremation Services
www.seefeldfuneral.com
(920) 236-7750