LaVern Everett Steinle

LaVern Everett Steinle, 93, of Bunker Hill, Kansas, died on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.

LaVern was born on November 19, 1931, south of Bunker Hill, Kansas, the son of David W. and Emma (Luerman) Steinle. He grew up in the Bunker Hill area. He joined the United States Army, serving his country in the Korean war. He was united in marriage to Vivian Duvall on July 08, 1954, and from this union they were blessed with 7 children Curtis, Holly, Kirby, Martin, Scott, Melissa and Maribeth. Later he was married to Corlene Chancy Swan on November 26, 1977, she preceded him in death on November 07, 2020. He was a longtime member of the Bunker Hill United Methodist Church. He opened a gas station at the Bunker corner where his family lived. Later he founded Steinle Construction Company. LaVern had many adventures to places like Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico. We have all heard his telling of these adventures and many more. He enjoyed his ”doodle bugging” for anything from oil and water, or even meteorites. He was also an oil wildcatter with the philosophy of any deal, any time, anywhere!

Surviving family include son Curtis Steinle (Kay) of Garden City, Kansas, daughter Holly Betts (Larry) of Waldo, Kansas, sons Kirby Steinle (Lindsey) of Russell, Kansas, Martin Steinle of Bunker Hill, Kansas, Scott Steinle (Connie) of Bunker Hill, Kansas, daughters Melissa Leslie (Scott) of Boring, Oregon and Maribeth Rush (Kit) of Geneseo, Kansas; sister Velda Hudnall of Great Bend, Kansas 15 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, and 2 (1 pending) great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Corlene, sisters Esther Foran, Edna Small and LaVada Small and great grandson Luke Steinle.

A graveside service for LaVern will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, July 03, 2025, at the Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Kansas. Military honors will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial for the Bunker Hill Community Center. Family will greet guests after the service at the Bunker Hill Community Center. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the graveside services.