John Steinheimer

John Joseph Steinheimer passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, surrounded by family. John was born Nov. 29, 1916, in New Haven, Conn., and was 94 years old when he died. He married the former Ruth Elizabeth Hunt on Aug. 24, 1941, and they had been married for more than 69 years.

A good number of John's younger years were spent on Long Island in Center Moriches, Suffolk County, N.Y., where he lived with his grandparents. His grandmother preferred his middle name and so he was also known as "Joe," especially among family.

During the Depression and later years, John worked a variety of jobs until he was inducted into the U.S. Army on July 6, 1945. He was honorably discharged July 29, 1946. John served as a New York City police officer and detective from 1946 to 1968 in Harlem and the Bronx.

After retiring from the police department, John was sworn in as a deputy U.S. marshal in the 2nd Federal Circuit Court of Appeals' jurisdiction. John was later appointed as court inspector, responsible for all security recommendations for the federal courthouses in the 2nd Circuit.

John retired in 1986 at the age of 70, with plans to do some traveling with Ruth. Those plans were unfortunately interrupted when Ruth suffered a severe stroke Feb. 7, 1987, and he spent the rest of his life caring for her. John and Ruth lived in the Bronx until he retired from the police department. In 1969, they moved to Joel Place on Staten Island, N.Y., and in 1989, they moved to Frederick to reside with their son and daughter-in-law.

In addition to his beloved wife, Ruth, John is survived by son, Robert (Mary); daughter, Evelyn; grandchildren, John T. Durning (Pamela), Robert J. Steinheimer (Kathleen), Deirdre Durning Borgea (Lee) and Ruth Ann Durning Thurber (Jim). He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Christopher Steinheimer, Matthew Steinheimer, Patrick Messimer, Leanna Messimer, Benjamin Steinheimer, John P. Durning, Isibeal Borgea, Katelynn Thurber, Audrey Borgea, Mackenzie Steinheimer and Shylah Thurber.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice O'Connell; brothers, Elton Steinheimer and Albert Brown; sister, Augusta (Pat) Vecchio; and granddaughter, Cynthia Marie Steinheimer Messimer.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 4103 Prices Distillery Road, Ijamsville. The Rev. Mike Jendrek will serve as celebrant.

Interment will be held in Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702.