John F. Steinmiller

John F. Steinmiller passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning in Milwaukee surrounded by close family after a short fight with cancer at the age of 73. He committed his life to his family, his community, and the Milwaukee Bucks—the organization to which he dedicated over 52 years of service. 

John is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Corinne (Nierman). He has two children, Mary Kate and John Henry (Kate Armitage). He is Grandpa for his beloved granddaughter Nola James. John and Corinne have lived in the same Whitefish Bay home for over 30 years.

He was born in Evanston, Ill. and grew up in Mount Prospect, Ill. and was one of eight children to the late Jack and Mary Nell. He is survived by his siblings Fr. Alex, Willy (Jane Love), Helene Fearon (Tim), Nell Trainor (Steve) Fred, Francis, Alice (Mario Quinones). He attended Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. where he is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Steinmiller served as president of the Marquette University Student Government and graduated from the School of Journalism in 1970. In 2015, he was awarded the Professional Achievement Award from the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University. He met his wife, Corinne at Marquette and they both have stayed involved with the university they love today.

John started with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1970 as an Administrative Assistant and went on to be the youngest Public Relations Director in professional sports when he was named to that position in 1972. His career continued on the business side where he served as Executive Vice President of Business Operations for over 30 years. His Bucks career started with an NBA Championship in 1971 and he was proud to be there with his family when the Bucks won the NBA Championship in 2021. He has worked with every Milwaukee Bucks head coach in the team’s history.

A pillar in the Milwaukee community, John served on numerous community boards throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Perhaps none were more important than his commitment to Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer. John was instrumental in the founding of the MACC Fund in 1976 along with former Bucks player Jon McGlocklin and former Bucks Broadcaster Eddie Doucette—whose son had cancer at the time. He played an important role and was heavily involved with the charity that has raised millions of dollars to research childhood cancer.

He also served on community boards including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation, Milwaukee Urban Day School and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. He completed a two-year term as chairman of Visit Milwaukee—the convention and visitors bureau marketing organization—in 2013 and served on the board for over 15 years.

Summer was John’s favorite time of the year. His famous Fourth of July party, Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair, cruising around town in his convertible, golf and days at the pool were all things he enjoyed with his family and friends. Other hobbies included being a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Marquette University Basketball and Milwaukee Brewers, attending concerts and all types of music.

Services will begin with a visitation on Friday, October 14 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (812 N. Jackson) in Milwaukee at 1 p.m. Memorial mass will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. A Celebration of Life will take place at Major Goolsby’s (340 W. Kilbourn) at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed in John’s name to the MACC Fund (maccfund.org) or Kinship Community Food Center (kinshipmke.org).