Forrest Gene Steenbergen, 94, Jefferson City, passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at his residence surrounded by his family.
He was born June 11, 1931, the son of William Robert and Nellie Marie (Watts) Steenbergen in Decatur.
He attended Valley Home School and later graduated from Russellville High School.
Gene studied at Jefferson City Junior College before graduating from the University of Missouri in Civil Engineering.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and served during the Korean Conflict and stationed at Pearl Harbor on the USS Sperry.
Gene was united in marriage to Lina Lee Scrivner Dec. 30, 1956, at Russellville Baptist Church with the Rev. Denver Moore officiating.
He was employed with the Missouri Department of Transportation as an engineer, designing many of Missouri’s highways.
Gene was a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where he served for over 50 years as a deacon. He was also a member of the Gideon’s International and the American Legion Post 5.
Gene enjoyed hunting with his bird dog Spike, fishing and traveling with friends and family. He was also a lifelong music fan and musician, who performed for years at both church and area nursing homes, and was a member of the Steenbergen Brothers Quartet, as well as the Mt. Olive Gospel Singers. Gene was a gifted mandolin player who also played acoustic guitar, bass guitar and fiddle.
He and his wife Lina loved to spend time with their children and grandchildren, and also spent many hours and traveled many miles working on genealogy and family history.
Gene was preceded in death by wife, Lina; parents, William and Nellie; son-in-law, Craig Schnieders; brothers, Kenneth Steenbergen and wife Norma, Gerald Steenbergen and wife Mattie and Dale Steenbergen and wife Violet; sister, Wanda Steenbergen; mother and father-in-law, Ralph and Mabel Scrivner; step father-in-law, Clayton Morris; sister-in-law, DeloresTwitchel; and brothers-in-law, Ralph Ronald Scrivner, Kent Scrivner, William Hancock and Les Twitchel.
He is survived by children, Dr. Michael Steenbergen and wife Laurie, Melissa Schnieders and Melanie Crane and husband Kirby, all of Jefferson City; grandchildren, Andrew Schnieders and wife Kelsey, Benjamin Schnieders and wife Julia, Seth Steenbergen and Luke Steenbergen and friend Abbey Bartlett; step-grandchild, Christopher Crane and wife Amber; great-grandchildren, Emery and Madalyn Schnieders; eight step-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great-grandchild; brother-in-law, Randy and wife Joyce; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Hancock and Nancy Althouse; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 16, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Nichols and Rev. Alan Earls officiating.
Interment with military honors was in the Enloe Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Hospice Compassus, or to Gideon’s International.
Arrangements entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville. trimblefunerals.com
