Edward J. Steinman, 91, of Breese, died Monday, January 5, 2009 at Caring First in Breese. He was born July 16, 1917 in Aviston, son of Anton and Helena (Koerkenmeier) Steinmann. He married Regina M. Deiters April 21, 1941 at St. Dominic Church in Breese and she preceded him in death on November 29, 1997.

Mr. Steinman is survived by his children, Mary (Ron) Sellers of Breese, Jean (Don) Bujnak of Belleville, and Paul (Jeanne) Steinman of Breese; eight grandchildren, Sheila (Dennis) Meier, James Sellers, Gwendolyn (Michael) Christ, Dawn (Eric) Roeckenhaus, Kelly (Brian) Mungai, Beth Richter, Craig Steinman and Jennifer Steinman; five step grandchildren, Beverly (Bruce) Rinehimer, Mark Bujnak, Kevin (Kathy) Bujnak, Linda (Tom) Hassall, Donna (Ron) Homrighausen; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister, Loretta (Wilbert) Koch of Beckemeyer and a brother, Leonard (Joyce) Steinmann of Breese.

In addition to his parents and his wife he was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Steinmann; three sisters, Regina Tebbe, Dorothy Korte and Veronica Steinmann; two brothers-in-law, Joe Tebbe and Ray Korte; and a sister-in-law, Ann Steinmann.

Mr. Steinman founded S & S Body & Radiator Shop in Breese in 1947 and was co-founder of Equity 55. He was proud that he was able to assist many Clinton County residents in the course of his towing career. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps and served during WWII in New Guinea. He was a member of St. Dominic Parish in Breese, the American Legion Post 252, and the Breese Lions Club where he was a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was a Volunteer Fireman for 28 years with the Breese Fire Department and was a Breese city councilman for 12 years. He was a member of the Clinton County Health Improvement Assoc., a member of the Concordia Sauenger Choir in Breese, a member of the Breese Forty and Eighters and a member of the Breese Business and Professional Assoc.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2009 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Rev. James Deiters officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2009 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. The Breese Fire Dept. will visit at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Breese Lions at 7 p.m. and the Breese American Legion at 7:30 p.m. all Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Breese Lions Club or to the Breese Fire Department and will be received at the funeral home.