James Carl Steinbruecker was called to his heavenly home on June 26, 2025 while a resident of Rocky Knoll Healthcare Center. Born April 10, 1935, the eldest child of Roman and Hildegard (Tillie) Steinbruecker. He attended St. Dominic Catholic School and graduated from Sheboygan Noth High School. Jim served in the US Marine Corp, attended Ohio State University & was a graduate of Milwaukee School of Engineering. He later completed the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship program at Lakeshore Technical Institute and began his Sheet Metal career at Ted Kuck & Co. Years later he was hired to be a Sheet Metal Circuit Instructor teaching apprentices the trade.
During his 34 year career he taught at Lakeshore Technical plus eleven other Technical Colleges across the State. He further taught a custom designed training program to employees of General Motors Corporation and Marinette Marine. He took great pride in teaching each of his apprentices and watching their success. He retired in 2000 and shortly after was inducted into the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Hall of Fame.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Jim enjoyed many days on Lakes Winnebago and Michigan and multiple hunting trips with family and friends, typically taking the biggest buck in the group. A lover of travel, he also enjoyed trips to Aruba, Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and Washington D.C. aboard the Honor Flight accompanied by his daughter.
On April 4, 1959 he was united in marriage to Sharon M. Vander Weele. Together they adopted and raised two children and celebrated 56 years together before the Lord called her home on June 5, 2015.
On December 23, 2016 he married Janet E. Schrader. She survives him as well as his daughter Teresa (John) Denning; his son, Thomas Steinbruecker; 4 grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Joe) Bloomer, James T. Steinbruecker, Jerod (Anna) Denning and Meredith Denning and 4 great-grandchildren. Jim is further survived by two sisters: Sharon (Don) Helf and Sandy (David) Miller; sister-in-law Vallerie (Roger) Miller and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Sharon Steinbruecker; his brother, Ronald Steinbruecker and daughter-in-law, Lisa Steinbruecker.
Visitation is planned for July 9, 2025 at Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan, from 2-4pm with service to follow. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials in Jim’s honor will benefit The Honor Flight, Rocky Knoll Healthcare Center and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
Jim will be remembered as a persistent and hard-working provider for his family and a dedicated instructor to his apprentices. His high expectations brought out the good in all of us and we will miss him greatly.
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