William Steenbergen

William Gerald Steenbergen, age 81, of Russellville, died Monday, March 29, 2010, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. He was born July 23, 1928, in Russellville, a son of Robert and Nellie Watts Steenbergen. On May 21, 1949, Gerald was united in marriage to Mattie Westgard at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Russellville. Mattie preceded him in death July 28, 2008. Gerald was a graduate of Russellville High School. At one time he owned and operated the MFA station in Russellville and was self employed as a heavy equipment operator. He later retired as a rural route carrier for the Russellville Post Office. Gerald was a lifelong farmer. He also enjoyed all types of hunting, from quail, deer, coon, coyote, to mushroom. He was an accomplished musician, singing with his brothers in the Steenbergen Brothers Quartet, and was a self-taught fiddle player, who enjoyed playing with the various groups in the area. He was a faithful, lifelong member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where he served as church treasurer and was a member of the Mt. Olive Singers. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Glen and Jackie Steenbergen of Russellville; two daughters and a son-in-law, Gayla Steenbergen of Kansas City and Gale and Jon Schaffner of Jefferson City; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Forest Gene and Lina Steenbergen of Jefferson City and Loren Dale and Violet Steenbergen of Russellville; five grandchildren, Brendon Steenbergen, Collin Steenbergen and wife Susan, Abby Hartman and husband Bryan, Nik Schaffner and Joel Schaffner; three great-grandchildren, Noah and Gabriel Steenbergen and J.D. Hartman; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his wife, Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Robert Kenneth Steenbergen; and a sister, Wanda Steenbergen. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 1, at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Bro. Alan Earls officiating. Interment will be in the Enloe Cemetery west of Russellville. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Russellville. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. www.scrivner-morrow.com