Kenneth Lloyd Steinhoff was an affable man who led an unassuming but fulfilling life. His low-key demeanor was always present and he was always there to give a helping hand.
Ken was born on December 15, 1932 to Lloyd and Evelyn (Murray) Steinhoff and was the fifth of seven children. Marg, Donna, Bert and Betty were his senior, with Bill and Allan following behind him. Moving from Southampton at a young age, the Steinhoff family soon established themselves on a farm on the outskirts of Chesley. Shortly after, they moved into to town were Ken and siblings attended both public and high school. It was during these years that Ken’s love for sports became apparent. He especially loved hockey and baseball. It was late high school that Ken was recruited by a Mr. Skinner to play juvenile hockey for the Paisley Juveniles, in addition to playing junior hockey in Goderich at the same time. This meeting changed Ken’s life, as he met Mr. Skinner’s daughter, Shirley. Their courtship was interrupted by Ken’s TB diagnosis, whereby he spent almost two years in a sanatorium in Kitchener. His inner strength and toughness were ever present during this struggle, and he overcame it and married his beautiful bride, Shirley Skinner, on October 17, 1952. Dale soon joined the family in 1953.
It was during this time that Ken spent a couple years at the Shell Service Station in Chesley before starting his long tenure at Krug’s. There he became a Foreman and built a lifetime friendship with Howard and Bruce Krug. Not only did the three enjoy working together, but Ken also spent many hours assisting the Krugs in marking out the Bruce Trail, north of Lions Head, in the 1960’s. Together, they were also pioneers in tracking seagull movement around Chantry Island. Ken worked hard, but always found time to be Mr. Fix-It to whoever needed his helping hand. Simply put, Ken could not say “No”. Ken’s time with Krug’s only ended when Krug’s closed their doors for the final time. He soon found work with Almira (another furniture factory in Chesley) and remained with them until his retirement at 65.
Over the years, Ken always enjoyed visiting family, especially at Christmas. It was his favourite holiday, as he always enjoyed giving the gifts, particularly to his granddaughters. His face would light up as he watched their excitement opening gifts. Other interests that delighted Ken were reading his beloved westerns. His author of choice was Louis L’Amour of course! Ken also read the newspaper daily, were he would always challenge himself with the daily crossword.
What about sports! As long as you weren’t cheering for the Leafs Ken was probably with you. Even though he despised the Toronto Maple Leafs (enough to give away a Tie Domi jersey he won at a Leafs game), Ken watched all their games. He always said he was cheering for the other team… imagine! He did, however, love the Toronto Blue Jays and especially this time of year. There were hardly enough hours in the day to watch post season baseball along with the football and hockey. Aside from watching sports, Ken was involved in sports as a, coach, referee and umpire, along with playing baseball, golf, curling and most recently lawn bowling.
Shortly after Shirley’s death in 2006, Ken started to experience early onset dementia. It was at this time that the family and friends within the community, rallied around him and supported him, as he had done for them years prior. Ken remained in his home until 2014 when the dementia became too much for life on his own and he made the transition to Elgin Abbey. There the love, support and care continued, as it did with his hospital stays. Sadly Ken took his last breath on Saturday, October 29, 2016.
He leaves behind his son Dale (Sheryl); granddaughters, Vanessa (Greg) Hoddinott and Carly Steinhoff (Arron Wolfe) as well as his great-granddaughters Amelia and Paige. He will be fondly remembered by his brothers, Bert (Marjorie) of Chesley and Bill, Allan (Shelia), all of Hanover. Ken was predeceased by his sisters Donna Mink, Betty Wark, Margaret Raymer.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Tuesday from 7 – 9 p.m. where a funeral service celebrating Ken’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to Elgin Abbey Residents Fund or Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
