Rosemary M. Steger

She was born on May 17, 1932 to William F. and Mary (Noll) Meyer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Perry High School in Pittsburgh, and attended Pennsylvania College for Women (now part of Chatham University).

She was on vacation at Virginia Beach from her job as an executive secretary with US Steel when a dashing Navy officer cut in on a dance and swept her off her feet. On June 1, 1957 she married US Navy Lt. Louis Allen Steger at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh. He survives.

They welcomed children, Jill (Dave) Harlow, Rev. Judy Steger Kennedy, John “Jack” (Jackie) Steger, and Joel (Lynette) Steger.

Rosemary was also the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren, Bryan (Megan) Steger, Elizabeth “Beth” (Ryne) Ludke, Abigail “Abbey” (Josh) Tilstra, Anne Kennedy, the late Brett Harlow, Joseph Kennedy, Lt. Ben (Lt. Elizabeth Ihrke) Steger (US Army), Brittany Harlow, Noah Steger, and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren.

Rosemary was a past Worthy Matron of the Rosebud Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a former member of the Y Reserves, a past President of the Pekin YWCA, a member of Tazewell County Home Extension, the Herb Guild, Hoe and Hope Garden Club, Tazewell County Veteran’s Memorial Fair Board, the Pekin Park Board, Red Hat Society, Christian Women’s Club, the Wednesday Nighters, the Pekin Hospital League, the Mr. and Mrs. Club, St. Paul United Church of Christ and the Congregational United Church of Christ. She was also often a Room Mother at Jefferson School, and she was very proud to serve as an election judge for many years. Rosemary was a dedicated mother, grandmother, dog lover (especially Frizi, Buttons, Joy, Mitzi and Teddy Bear) and was an outstanding artist. Her family misses her already.

Her funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 17, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Judy Steger Kennedy and Rev. Dr. Forrest Krummel, Jr. will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.

The family wishes to thank Transitions Hospice, especially Amy and Corrine for the great care they provided. We also wish to thank our childhood friend, Dr. Gail Williamson, for her presence and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554; Pekin Park Foundation, 1701 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554; or, to the Pekin YWCA, 315 Buena Vista Avenue, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com