John Ross Steiner

John Ross Steiner, 90, passed away peacefully at home, on July 21st, 2016. He was born April 26th, 1926 in Knoxville, Tennessee and was the son of Benjamin Boyd & Margaret (Ault) Steiner. He was a beloved husband, devoted father and grandfather, loving brother and friend. He graduated from Knoxville High School 1944. He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Machinist on board the USS Wheatland AKA-85 in WWII from 1944 to 1946. After serving our country he returned to Knoxville earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in December, 1949 from the University of Tennessee. Following a calling from the Lord since the age of fourteen he entered and graduated from Emory University in August 1952 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. On January 31, 1953 he married the love of his life Germaine Rita Millsaps. They were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage before her death in February of 2010. Germaine was a vital part of John’s life and his ministry. During their first years of marriage, John served as a Pastor in the Holston Methodist Conference where he served as Pastor in Pound, VA, Radford, VA, Sweetwater, Knoxville, Morristown, and Johnson City, Tennessee. John returned to the University of Tennessee where he earned his Masters of Science in Social Work in 1968 and further served the United Methodist Church as Executive Director of Spofford Children’s Home in Kansas City, Missouri from 1970-1982 and he ended his successful career serving several years as the Executive Director of Murphy Harpst Vashti Children’s Home in Cedartown, Georgia. Upon retirement John and Germaine moved to Maryville, Tennessee. John always loved to learn new skills. As an avid hobbyist some of his interests were model railroading, motorcycling, ham radio, hand crafting pens/pencils out of wood and acrylic. he was a licensed private pilot, played the harmonica, enjoyed riding his scooter and most recently discovered ballroom dancing. He cherished this time with old and new friends and looked forward to every opportunity to dance. Preceded in death by : Infant Daughter, Debra Kay Steiner, Father Benjamin Stiner, Mother Margaret Steiner and Brother Carrol Steiner. Survivors include: Daughter Ginger Steiner Linds of Maryville, Tennessee; Son and Daughter-in-law Mark and Susan Steiner of Overland Park, KS; Brother and Sister-in-law Robert & Lois Steiner of Knoxville, Tennessee: Grandchildren Bridget, Sarah, and Heidi Steiner, Sam & Taylor Linds; and twelve nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 26, 2016 between 5pm-7pm at First United Methodist Church of Maryville, Tennessee with the Celebration of Life Service to follow at 7:00 pm. The Reverend Catherine Nance will officiate with special comments from close friend Dot Simpson from Kansas City, Missouri. Friends are welcome to join the family for the Interment at 9:00AM on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at Sherwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Ross Steiner please visit our Sympathy Store.