Paul Neal Steinike

November 1, 2018

Paul Neal Steinike passed away October 15, 2018 at the Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home in Panama City, FL after a long illness.  Paul was born April 20, 1950 in Cheyenne Wells, CO to Herbert A. and Jewell L. (Embree) Steinike.  Paul graduated from Sharon Springs High School and Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. 

Paul worked as a butcher for Francis and Mary Wehner at Wehner’s IGA in Sharon Springs during high school.  Paul was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 19, 1974 and served as a Staff Sergeant E6 in the Advanced Medical Services.  He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Marksman Qualified Medal – Rifle M-16.

Paul married Charlene Mateyec on June 24, 1972.  They later divorced.  He married Dianne Cooper in 1983. They later divorced.

After honorable discharge from the Army, Paul worked for a medical services company and later returned to Sharon Springs to work in the Gambles store owned by his mother Jewell.  He later worked as the manager of Heyl’s Traveler Motel, as a customer service representative for the Oak Tree Inn, and as a custodian for USD #241, all in Sharon Springs.  He was a member of the Sharon Lutheran Church.

In 2009 Paul moved to Panama City, FL to live with his brother David and his wife Janice.  In 2010 Paul moved into the Alzheimer unit at the Veterans Nursing Home.

He loved to attend church with David and Janice at the Central Pentecostal Ministries.  He enjoyed fishing (he would make his own fishing flies), hunting, wood carving and making hand-made gifts to give away to friends and family.

Paul is survived by his father Herbert and stepmother Deloris Steinike of Gove, KS; brother David (Janice) Steinike of Panama City, FL; sister Susan (John) Wempe of Little River, KS; niece Jennifer Booth, Overland Park, KS; niece Elizabeth (Joseph) Hibbard, Minot, ND; nephew Jesse (Danyelle) Deines, Eads, CO; nephew Samuel (Sezen) Steinike, Minot, ND; and seven great nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held October 25, 2018 at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery Garden in Panama City, FL.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM MT November 10, 2018 at Sharon Lutheran Church, Sharon Springs, KS.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be mailed to: Friends of Sims, Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home, 4419 Tram Road, Panama City, FL  32404-2559, in memory of Paul Steinike.