Forrest Gene Steenbergen

Forrest Gene Steenbergen, 94, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, at his residence surrounded by his family.

He was born June 11, 1931, in Decatur, Missouri, the son of William Robert and Nellie Marie (Watts) Steenbergen.

Gene attended Valley Home School and later graduated from Russellville High School.  He then studied at Jefferson City Junior College before graduating from the University of Missouri in Civil Engineering.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, who served during the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the USS Sperry.

He married Lina Lee Scrivner on December 30, 1956, at Russellville Baptist Church, the Rev. Denver Moore officiating.  She passed away October 5, 2020.

Gene worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation as an engineer, designing many of Missouri’s highways.

He 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.  He was a gifted mandolin player who also played acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and fiddle.  Gene 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 is survived by his three children, Dr. Michael Steenbergen (Laurie), Melissa Schnieders, Melanie Crane (Kirby), all of Jefferson City; four grandchildren, Andrew Schnieders (Kelsey), Benjamin Schnieders (Julia), Seth Steenbergen, Luke Steenbergen (Abbey Bartlett); one step-grandchild, Christopher Crane (Amber); two great grandchildren, Emery Schnieders and Madalyn Schnieders; eight step-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great-grandchild; one brother-in-law, Randy (Joyce); two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Hancock and Nancy Althouse; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lina; son-in-law, Craig Schnieders; three brothers and their wives, Kenneth (Norma) Steenbergen, Gerald (Mattie) Steenbergen, Dale (Violet) Steenbergen; a sister, Wanda Steenbergen; mother and father-in-law, Ralph and Mabel Scrivner; step-father-in-law, Clayton Morris; one sister-in-law, Delores Twitchel; and four brothers-in-law, Ralph Ronald Scrivner, Kent Scrivner, William Hancock, and Les Twitchel.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Trimble Funeral Homes in Russellville.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Nichols and Rev. Alan Earls officiating.

Burial with military honors will be in Enloe Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Hospice Compassus, or to Gideon’s International.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville.    trimblefunerals.com