Carl C. Steinkraus, Jr.

Carl C. Steinkraus, Jr,  passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on December 25, 2025 under the care of Henry Ford Health  Hospice after a long illness.  He was born and raised in Vandercook,  Michigan,  the son of Carl C, Sr. and Dorothy L (Nordman).Steinkraus. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gary Rebben, who died in the Korean War.  Carl  received a BA degree in Education from  Central Michigan University and was a member of the TKE fraternity. Carl taught school and coached football in Jackson and Denver, Colorado.  He was married 65 years to his loving  wife, Valorous J.(Merrill).  He was always outgoing and would talk with anyone who came within a few feet and always joked with the nurses,  asking questions about  history or commenting on their attair. With a love of  history and the American Civil War, many vacations were road trips to Civil War battle grounds in the South.  Other vacation  trips were back to the mountains of Colorado.  After retirement, Carl enjoyed working in the yard and garden, watching birds at the feeders and  walking five miles a day. He maintained a daily journal for many years until he could no longer  write. Music was always a part of his life and he attended many shows and concerts at Jackson College with his wife.  His last three years were spent at Mission Point of Jackson where he received good care.  He will be greatly missed by those who new him. He is survived by his wife and  his special cousins, Paula and Edward Williams of  North Carolina. At his request, cremation has taken place under the direction of Watson Funeral Chapel and there will be no services held.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Cascades Humane Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carl C. Steinkraus, Jr., please visit our floral store.