John J. Steinlage, 70, of Seneca, KS, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

He was born March 23, 1933, in Corning, KS, the son of William and Josepha E. Haverkamp Steinlage. He grew up on the family farm southeast of Kelly. He graduated from Kelly High School in 1951 and farmed near Kelly.

On February 25, 1954, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He worked in the motor pool and was a welder, serving in Korea. After his discharge in December 1955 he returned home to farm near Kelly.

On December 30, 1958, he married Wilma Kramer at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. She survives of the home in Seneca. They farmed southeast of Kelly for four years. In the spring of 1963 they moved to a farm southwest of Baileyville. They farmed and operated a dairy. In April of 1998 they moved to Seneca.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. He served on the church council and was a Eucharistic minister.

Survivors besides his wife Wilma are two sons, Thomas Steinlage of Emporia and Brian Steinlage of Baileyville; three daughters, Denise Hermesch of Olpe, KS, Vickie Muckenthaler of Emporia, and Nancy Henry of Goff; two brothers, Marvin Steinlage of Seneca and William Steinlage of Holton; four sisters, Mary Ann Olberding of Seneca, Arlene Lisa of Fountain Valley, CA, Verna Strathman of Topeka, and Joella King of Hoyt, KS; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald Steinlage on November 29, 1967 and Elmer Steinlage of May 23, 1992.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM Monday, April 21, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military honors provided by the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion of Seneca and the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, April 20, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church, and sent in care of the family.