Stephen Jenike

Stephen Michael Jenike, October 6, 1965 – January 24, 2026

Stephen Michael Jenike passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of January 24, 2026.  Steve was a beloved family member and friend.  His life was marked by his devotion to Cincinnati sports, a wide circle of friends, an active online presence, and the personal attention he gave to customers at Thriftway and Kroger during his working life.

Steve was born third of four children to Sam and Mary Ann Jenike.  Growing up as a middle child wasn’t always easy for Steve, but he developed into a quiet, contemplative young man.  He followed the Reds and Bengals (and later the Xavier Musketeers) closely, and always had an opinion about what they were doing right and where they could improve.   He also paid close attention to the details of family traditions, whether it be the menu at Thanksgiving or the order of events on Christmas Day, and even when he became less mobile, always made the effort to be a full participant and grounding presence at family gatherings.  Over the years, he developed a detailed memory bank of family life.  Later in life, he would frequently astonish those around him with his ability to recall those memories, vividly, from events that happened decades prior.

After graduating from Walnut Hills High School in 1984, Steve decided that a career working with people in their day-to-day lives was a good fit for him.  As a clerk, cashier, and customer assistance specialist at Thriftway and Kroger, Steve developed a devoted customer following.  He knew and greeted customers by name, knew their individual needs, and worked to make at least that part of their day a little brighter and more pleasant whenever he saw them.  It was the customers that he missed most when he eventually had to leave employment as diabetes took away his ability to stand for long hours.  The accolades he received from customers both during and after his employment were testament to the positive impact he had on their lives.

Steve was also a well-known and well-liked friend and community member in Norwood where he lived most of his adult life.  He had many friends, and many more acquaintances with whom he went to church, played cards, attended sporting events, and shared his life.  Steve chose to leave this world on his own terms by choosing to enter hospice care in mid-January.  In his last days, the time he was able to spend with family and friends recalling memories and reliving past joys made him happier than he had been in years.  

Steve is survived by his mother, Mary Ann; his brothers, Mark (Brenda) and David; his sister, Rebecca (Steve) Hussey; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his father, Samuel Jenike.  A Visitation will be held at George H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home, Mt. Lookout Square on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Church, 2845 Erie Ave., Cincinnati, OH on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597 (or by using this link: https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/ ).