Allen D. Steinke, age 86, of Galena, Illinois, passed away on August 26, 2025, at Midwest Senior Living Community in Galena.

Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Monday, September 1, 2025 at the Miller and Steinke Funeral Home in Scales Mound, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Schapville, IL. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Galena, IL

Allen was born on March 16, 1939, in Belvidere, IL, the son of Alvin and Virginia Steinke. He graduated from Harlem High School with the Class of 1957, and attended Rockford College, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. On April 22, 1961, he married Jeannine (Dahlberg) Steinke. Together they raised four children: Todd, Mark, Joellen, and Jill.

Allen began his career as a Deputy Coroner in Winnebago County and worked as a funeral director in Rockford and Loves Park, IL. In July 1970, he purchased Nash-Schmadeke Funeral Home in Galena, and opened a second funeral home in Scales Mound in 1980.  He owned and operated Steinke Funeral Home in Galena and Scales Mound until his retirement in 2002.

In addition to his work as a funeral director, Allen served as Jo Daviess County Coroner, for 20 years, from 1972-1992. Early in his career, he also operated an ambulance service in Galena.

His professional affiliations included membership in the National Funeral Director’s Association, the Illinois Funeral Director’s Association, the Illinois Coroner’s Association, and was past President of the Northern Illinois Funeral Director’s Association.

He was active in his community, serving as past President of both the Galena Chamber of Commerce and the Lion’s Club. He was also a member of the Elks, Eagles, Masons, and Oddfellows organizations. He belonged to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Schapville, IL. He loved music and sang in many choirs and at many events throughout his lifetime.

Allen was a kind and caring man with a wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and cruising, spending time with his friends, and meeting with his coffee group at Apple Canyon Lake, where he lived for many years. Above all, Allen enjoyed spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jeannine; his children: Todd (Ann) Steinke, Mark Steinke, Joellen (Joel) Holland, and Jill (Damon) Muehleip; nine grandchildren: Lyndsi (Kevin) Scharpf, Sam Steinke, Luke Steinke, Ryan, Julia, and Reid Holland, and Mackenzie, Kaleb, and Chloe Muehleip; two great-grandchildren, Lola and Lloyd Scharpf; and his sister, Sharon Burns.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Midwest Senior Living Community and Hospice of Dubuque for their kindness and compassion.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©