James “Jim” John Steinkirchner, gifted trumpeter and beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died on Wednesday, November 3, in Wilkes-Barre, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He was 89 years old.

James was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on January 22, 1937, and raised by his loving parents, John and Mary Steinkirchner. He and his sister Rosemary grew up in Kingston.

James’ first love was music; he began playing trumpet at nine years old. Upon graduating high school, he attended the Manhattan School of Music for trumpet and had lessons with famed classical trumpet player Joseph Alessi at the Metropolitan Opera House. Notable bands in which James performed include Stanky and the Pennsylvania Coal Miners, The Coal Diggers, Lefty and the Polka Chaps, and Jolly Joe and the Bavarians. James’ trumpet can also be heard on several local Wilkes Barre records. In addition, he produced records for local bands through The National Record Company which he created in the 1970s.

James was a member of the Naval Reserves for eight years and was also a member of the Local Musician’s Union. He enjoyed a successful career in manufactured housing finance. In his free time, he was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating.

Nothing meant more to James than his family. After a lifetime of dedication to his seven children, he was blessed to receive that same devotion in return. His children and grandchildren showed him unwavering love and exceptional care.

He also had the extraordinary experience, at age 82, of finding a brother, John “Jack” Bradley, and a sister, Mary Ann Bradley Petrasko, neither of whom he had known before then. They have become a loving and loved part of his family.

James is preceded in death by his mother, Mary, father, John, and brother, John “Jack” Bradley.

He is survived by his sisters, Rosemary Grebeck and Mary Ann Bradley Petrasko; the mother of his children, Sally Steinkirchner; his seven children and their spouses, Cynthia Cartusciello and husband, Neil; Michael and wife, Maury; Janice Owens and husband, Sheldon; Eileen John and husband, Michael; Mark and wife, Debbie; Susan Berecin and husband, Scott; Jonathan and wife,Sarah; his thirteen grandchildren, Rosario, Brandon, Katherine, Michael, Ava, Blaze, Jenna, Rocco, Maura, Matthew, Lexi, Kaitlin, and Brady; his three great grandchildren, Kinsley, Mylah, and Cameron; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of James offers its deepest, most heartfelt thank you to the staff at Allied Services Skilled Nursing on Meade Street. The activities personnel, aides, and nurses made his days brighter and treated him with the utmost care, fondness, and respect. The family also extends a very heartfelt thank you to the nighttime staff, who went above and beyond to care for him. As with all of the staff, their love and compassion was beyond measure.

A viewing will be held on Friday, November 6 at the Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming from 5 to 8 p.m. 

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 7 at 10 a.m. at Saint Ignatius R.C. Church in Kingston, 339 N Maple Ave, Kingston, PA 18704.

Those attending the Mass are kindly asked to go directly to the church on Saturday morning.