IRVIN JAY9 STEININGER (Jonathan ‘Howard’8, Reuben7, George B6, John Jacob5, John Leonard4 Jr, Johan Leonard3, Hannss Michael2, Hanns1) was born on 17 Sep 1884 in Oswegoo, Labett County, Kansas. He died on 30 Dec 1969 in Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana (Age: 85). He married (1) RUBY M BUNKER, daughter of Louis Bunker and Nan A Ballenger, on 15 Apr 1906 in Cass, Indiana. She was born on 17 Apr 1888 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana. She died on 31 Jan 1978 in Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana. He married an unknown spouse on 15 Apr 1986 in Cass County, Indiana.
Irvin Jay Steininger was buried on 02 Jan 1970 in Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana (Rochester
IOOFCemetery). He also went by the names of Irving Steininger, Irvin Steininger, and Irvin J. Steininger.
Notes for Irvin Jay Steininger:
At about the age of 5, Irvin was giving speeches in many nearby states and became known as the
“Hoosier Boy Orator”. (See Wendell C. & John B. Tombaugh, Fulton County Indiana Handbook: Steininger, Irvin)
TEAT SIX-YEAR-OLD ORATOR
According to an article from the Logansport Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, Indiana) September 27,
Master Irving J. Steininger Interest a Peru Audience.
Peru, Ind., Sept. 27 – Master Irving Jay Steininger, the wonderful “boy orator,” appeared here
Friday evening at the opera house. He was suffering from a severe headache, and when
somewhat advanced in the repetition of his temperance lecture he was for a time bewildered with
the pain, and had to take a short rest. He finished the piece, and also delivered a recitation entitled
“Babies.” The large audience was wild in its applause.
1890 page 3
This was found in the Fort Wayne Sentinel
An article from the Fort Wayne Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) dated November 10, 1890
“Master Irvin Steininger, the Hoosier boy orator, who appears at the Wayne street M.E. church
to-morrow evening, is one of the wonders of the century. Although only six years old, he delivers
sermons with the grace of a Talmage, and his speaking is wonderful. Master Irvin Steininger was
born September 17, 1884, in Labette county, Kansas. He made his debut in the Academy of
Music, at Rochester, Ind., April 16, 1890. The circumstances under which he became an orator,
were stated in these columns several days ago. Everybody should hear him.”
An article from the Logansport Pharos – Tribune , Logansport, Indiana dated April 16, 1956 page 4
Fifty Years Ago
Speaks Only What Is Taught Him
He is really a wonder. The father of the boy, Howard Steininger, is an ordinary looking man, a
farmer, living near Rochester. Irving repeats only those sermons, recitations, etc., which his father
has taught him. His sermons and speeches are mostly composed by the father from his own and
borrowed ideas, and while not being any easier for the child to learn, give an orginal tone to the
performances. His 6th birthday occurred this month.
Irvin J. Steininger and Ruby Bunker were married April 15 at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Lewis Bunker, 705 Linden avenue. (Logansport, Indiana)
From The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana) Dated 31 Dec 1969 – Wed – page 15
The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana) Dated 31 Dec 1969 – Wed – page 15
Irvin J. Steininger
Irvin J. Steininger, 85, of 2000 W. Indiana Ave., Elkhart, formerly of South Bend, died at 11:45
a.m. Tuesday in Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester, where he had been a patient 10 days. He had
been in failing health for three years. He was born Sept. 17, 1884, in Berne, Ind., and had lived in
Elkhart since 1967, moving there from South Bend. He was custodian of the Lydick School for 20
years. After retiring in 1951, he spent his summers in Richland Center. He was a member of the
United Methodist Church, Lydick; the Terre Coupee Masonic Lodge and Wilham Hatcher Chapter
63, Royal Arch Mason, Auburn. On April 15, 1906 at Logansport, he married Ruby M. Bunker.
She survives with a daughter, Mrs. Thelma Phillips, Elkhart; a son, Hugh Steininger, South Bend;
three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Rev. George Steininger of
Fort Wayne and Herman Steininger of Rochester. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the
Foster and Good Funeral Home, Rochester, with Rev. Robert Seitz, pastor of the Lydick United
Methodist Church, and Rev. Walter Mayer, pastor of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church,
Elkhart. Friends may call in the funeral home after 2 p.m. Thursday. Memorial services will be
conducted there at 8 p.m. Thursday by member of Rochester Masonic Lodge 79.
From The Logansport Press, Logansport, Indiana – December 31, 1969
The Logansport Press, Logansport, Indiana – December 31, 1969
Death Claims Elkhart Man; Rites Friday
ROCHESTER – Irvin J. Steininger, 85, of Elkhart, died at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Woodlawn
Hospital here where he had been a patient for 10 days. He had been in failing health for three
years. Born Sept. 17, 1884 in Berne, he was the son of Howard and Eliza Beehler Steininger. He
was married April 15, 1906 in Logansport to Ruby M. Bunker, who survives. During the summer
months he made his home at Rt.3, Rochester. He was a member of the United Methodist Church,
the William Hacker R.A.M. Chapter 63 of Auburn and the F. and A.M. of New Caslisle.
Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Thelma Phillips of Elkhart; a son, Hugh of South Bend; three
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Herman of Rochester and Rev. George
Steininger of Fort Wayne. Two sisters and a brother preceded him in death. Funeral srvices will
be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Foster and Good Funeral Home here, with the Rev.Robert Seitz and
Rev. Walter Mayer officiating. Burial will be in the Rice Cemetery in Elkhart. Friends may call at
the funeral home after 2 p.m. Thursday where Rochester local F. and A.M. 79 will conduct
memorial services at 8 p.m. Thursday. (Actual burial was in the Rochester IOOF cemetery)
Ruby M Bunker died on 31 Jan 1978 (Age: 89). She was buried in Feb 1978 in Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana (Rochester IOOFCemetery). She also went by the name of Ruba Bunker. She also went by the names of Ruby M Steininger, Ruby M. Bunker Steininger, and Ruby Steininger.
Notes for Ruby M Bunker:
From Find-A-Grave.com
OBITUARY:
—Ruby M. Steininger
Mrs. Ruby M. STEININGER, 89, 2000 West Indiana avenue, Elkhart, died at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday in
the Elkhart General hospital. She had been in failing health for several years.
She was born April 17, 1888 in Logansport to Lewis and Nan BALLENGER BUNKER, and had
lived most of her life in Elkhart, moving there from Logansport. She was married April 14, 1906 inLogansport to Irvin J. STEININGER, who died Dec. 29, 1969. She was a member of the First
from the Find-A-Grave for Ruby M. Steininger
United Methodist church, Elkhart, and the Loa chapter of the Eastern Star, Elkhart.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Thelma PHILLIPS, Elkhart; a son Hugh E. STEININGER, Culver;
three grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Five sisters and two
brothers preceded in death.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Foster & Good funeral home, and burial will be in the
I.O.O.F. cemetery, Rochester.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Walley-Mills-Zimmerman funeral home,
Elkhart, and the Eastern Star will conduct memorial services there at 7 p.m. today.
Friends also may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Foster & Good funeral home
Irvin Jay Steininger and Ruby M Bunker had the following children:
i. THELMA L. STEININGER was born on 20 Feb 1907 in Logansport, Cass, Indiana.
She died on 09 Apr 2010 in North Manchester, Wabash, Indiana. She married ISAAC HAL PHILLIPS. He was born on 21 Sep 1912 in Wawaka, Noble, Indiana. He died on 27 Dec 1994 in Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana. Thelma L. Steininger also went by the names of Thelma L. Phillips and Thelma Phillips. Isaac Hal Phillips also went by the name of Hal Phillips I and Hal Philips. He was buried in Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana
ii. HUGH ELBERT “BUD” STEININGER was born on 04 Feb 1910 in Union, De Kalb, Indiana. He died on 23 Sep 1980 in La Porte, La Porte County, Indiana. He married Margaret Augusta Stechler, daughter of Theodore Stichler and Maine Augusta Mow, on 27 Aug 1937 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana. She was born on 21 May 1919 in Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana. She died on 06 Jan 2010 in Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana.
Hugh Elbert “Bud” Steininger died on 23 Sep 1980 (Age: 70). He was buried on 25 Sep 1980 in
Richland Center, Fulton County, Indiana (Richland Center IOOF Cemetery). He also went by the
name of Hugh E Steininger and Hugh Steininger.
Margaret Augusta Stechler also went by the name of Margarett Augusta Stichler and Margaret A. Steininger. She also went by the name of Margaret A Stichler, as well as, Margarett Steininger.
She also went by many other names through the years: Margaret Augusta Stichler Steininger; Margarett A. Steininger; Margt Steininger; Margaret Steininger and Margaret H Stickler. She was buried in Richland Center, Fulton County, Indiana.
Hugh Elbert “Bud” Steininger and Margaret Augusta Stechler had the following children:
i. HUGH DENNIS11 STEININGER was born on 11 Sep 1938 in South Bend, St. Joseph
County, Indiana. He died on 04 Jul 2019. He married Angeline Agnes Hock, daughter of Ernest J. Hock and Anna Pekofske, on 29 Oct 1960. She was born on 24 Mar 1937 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Hugh Dennis Steininger also went by the name of Hugh Denis Steininger. He also went by the name of Hugh D Steininger.
ii. ROBERT K STEININGER was born on 16 Mar 1940 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. He married CAROL JEAN TETZLAFF. She was born on 24 Mar 1941 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. She died on 05 May 1990 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. Robert K Steininger also went by the name of Robert K Steininger. Carol Jean Tetzlaff was buried in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana.
iii. RHEA ANN STEININGER was born on 01 Sep 1951 in Indiana. She married Thomas
Edwin Schmidt, son of Marie A. Schmidt, on 05 Sep 1969 in Monterey, Pulaski, Indiana. He was born about 1947 in Indiana. Rhea Ann Steininger also went by the name of Rhea Schmidt. She also went by the name of Rhea Ann Schmidt
Notes for Hugh Elbert “Bud” Steininger:
OBITUARY:
Tuesday 9/23/1980 Rochester (Indiana) Sentinel
—Hugh E. SteiningerHugh E. STEININGER, 70, Rt. 1, Culver, died at 3:45 a.m. today at the LaPorte County Hospital
From Find-A-Grave for Hugh E. Steininger
where he had been a patient a week. He had been in failing health the past seven years.
Mr. Steininger was born Feb. 4, 1910 in Butler to Ervin and Ruby BUNKER STEININGER. He had
lived in Culver the past six years, moving from South Bend. He was married Aug. 27, 1937 in
Logansport to Margaret STICHLER, who survives. Before his retirement he was employed by the
Studebaker Corp. as an electrician. He was a member of the Lydick United Methodist Church and the New Carlisle Masonic Lodge.
Surviving with the wife are a daughter, Mrs. Tom (Rhea) SCHMIDT, Rt. 1, Culver; two sons, Hugh
D. and Robert K. [STEININGER], both of South Bend; ten grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Thelma
PHILLIPS, Elkhart. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Foster & Good Funeral Home with burial in the Richland Center I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until the services.