Joseph Steiner

Joe Steiner was a proud son of Iron Mountain. He grew up within throwing distance of Ranger Field where you’d find him with cousins, Gary and Ronnie Steiner, batting, fielding, and dreaming of playing in the Major Leagues.

Joe was born March 31, 1934, the son of Stella and Joseph Steiner. He was a 1952 graduate of Iron Mountain High School where he excelled in sports especially basketball, breaking existing conference scoring records.

In January 1953 he signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox to play semi-pro baseball. When a shoulder injury cut his baseball career short, he returned to the town he loved and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Porro. With the help of family and friends, Joe and Margaret purchased a lot (eventually four) next to Ranger Field and built their own home.

The next 67 years tell the story of a devoted husband, a loving father, a spontaneously fun grandpa, a converted cat-lover, a dedicated employee of 7-Up and Peninsula Beverage Companies, a coach of youth football, a player/coach of local baseball teams, a dedicated high school basketball referee known to drive through snow storms across the U.P. to get to his games.

Later in life Joe and Margaret were regulars in the City Park Bocce league, but even as life slowed down you could always count on Joe to be “The Life of The Party.”

The last five years of Joe’s life highlight the blessings of living in the Iron Mountain Community. He received the unbounded support of neighbors: Lisa and Sam Trebilcock, Len and Terry Lindeman, Bruce and Marsha Torretti. He received deliveries by Meals on Wheels; equipment and supplements from The Cancer Closet; in-home health care — all the things that allowed him to remain in his home until he moved to Maryhill Manor.

He is survived by his daughter, Kim (Michael) Murphy; grandsons, Christopher and Brett Murphy; sister-in-law, Kathleen Porro (Donald) Erickson; and niece and nephews, Alan Lammi, Brett (Wendy) Ruby, Brian Ruby, Jason (Tiffany) Foote; Erin (Brad) Alan.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; son, Joe Paul; and the neighbor he called the son of his heart, Sam Trebilcock.

The family is grateful for the extra-ordinary, loving care provided by the staff at Maryhill Manor and their extra efforts to facilitate the daily telephone visits.

At Joe’s request, a private family service will be held at a future date.

Condolences to the family of Joseph Steiner may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.