Obituary of John W. Steinhauser

Rev. John William Steinhauser, 90, of Defiance, went home to be with the Lord on March 28, 2017. John was born July 31, 1926 in St. Paul Minnesota to Frank and Lena Steinhauser. He married Virginia M. Lovaas on August 4, 1956, and they had 55 happy years together. John referred to Virginia as his angel and not a day passed where he did not mention her name. Virginia preceded him in death in January, 2011. John was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frank Steinhauser, Jr., Harley Steinhauser and Paul Steinhauser, and sisters, Bertha Mae Steinhauser and Lillian Wesley. John is survived by his daughter Rachel (Rev. Dwight) Moore of Schnectady, NY, son Jonathan Steinhauser of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and daughter Rebecca Steinhauser of Defiance. He is also survived by grandchildren Jonathan (Jennifer) Moore of Norman, OK, Jeffery (Kaylee) Moore of Mifflintown, PA, Lauren Moore, Timothy Moore, Andrew Moore, and Luke Moore, all of Schenectady, NY, Kaitlyn Steinhauser, Joshua Steinhauser, and Emily Steinhauser, all of Pittsburgh, PA, and great-grandchildren, Harper Moore of Mifflintown, PA, Kyle Moore, Lydia Moore, Kayla Moore, and Natalie Moore of Norman, OK. John enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 31, 1944 on his 18th birthday. He served in both World War II and the Korean War. He was a 1960 graduate of the University of Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. John pastored the Beloit Road Baptist Church from 1960 to 1965. He was the director of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Rescue Mission from 1965 to 1969, and worked for the Billy Graham Ministries from 1969 to 1972. He served as the Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission in Jamestown, New York from 1972 until his retirement in 2015. John was a true man of God. He was very passionate about following Matthew 25 and serving the "least of these." He was well respected in the community and by the residents of the mission because he was not preachy. but let his life speak for itself. John had a wonderful singing voice. He wrote many beautiful songs and played the organ and saxophone. From 1972 to 2005 he had a radio program in Jamestown, New York, "Something to Sing About." John also played the organ and saxophone every Sunday at two area nursing homes in Jamestown, NY. In his younger years, John was a long-distance runner. He ran many marathons, half marathons, and 10K races throughout Jamestown, New York and Pennsylvania, usually with one of his children running along with him. In his retirement, he moved to Defiance, Ohio and made his home with his daughter, Rebecca. He enjoyed reading, writing, and playing music, doing puzzles, watching football, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy with his daughter, Rebecca, and spending time at the Defiance Senior Center. John was very proud of all his children and grandchildren, and never hesitated to tell them so. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, and was a great example to his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A Memorial Service will be held May 15, 2017 at a time to be announced at the UCAN City Mission, 7 West First Street Jamestown, NY. During the service, the Steinhauser Chapel will be dedicated in his memory. Arrangements were handled by Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, Ohio and the Lind Funeral Home in Jamestown, NY. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com; or www.lindfuneralhome.com.