OBITUARIES

STEVEN B. BALK, April 22, 2023

Beloved husband of Rhonda Pepper Balk for 29 years. Loving father of Amanda (fiancé, Alexander McArthur) Balk and Michael Balk. Beloved brother of Brad Balk and Marshall (Leslie) Balk. Dear brother-in-law of Robert (Shirley) Pepper, William (Karen) Pepper, Ronald Pepper, Karen (Mike) Amann, Lisa (the late Steven) May, Sharon (Chris) Palazzola, Carla Townsend and Jackie Becquette. Beloved son of the late Reuben and Frieda Balk. Dear uncle, cousin and friend.

A graveside service was held Tuesday, April 25 at Saint Trinity Cemetery, 2160 Lemay Ferry Road. Contributions in Steve’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service

SUSAN RUTH BARAD

(nee Susan Ruth Funk)

Born in St. Louis on February 22, 1923,

Susan Ruth Barad (nee Funk) died on April 30, 2023. Married for 67 years to Melvin S. Barad (deceased, 2010), she was a devoted wife and mother, a dedicated daughter to her parents Morris and Mary (nee Zeffren) Funk, and to her in-laws Albert and Jean Barad, and a loving sister to Irene (husb. Melvin) Greenspoon.

She was a lifelong member of Congregation B’nai Amoona. She graduated Soldan High School (1940) and attended Washington University before working at Continental Can Co. during WWII. After the war, she and her husband raised their family in Clayton. She worked for twenty plus years as a fashion model in print advertising and on the runways of Famous Barr, Stix, Vera Hicks Fashions at the Chase Park Plaza and events such as the Annual St. Louis Globe Dispatch Charity Show at Kiel Auditorium. Mrs. Barad also appeared in early live television commercials for Site Service Stations on KABC and hosted the live half-hour Conn Organ Theatre on KPLR. Blessed with many friends from childhood, through the war years and thereafter, she and her husband traveled the world for his business, the Barad Lingerie Co, and later with the American Seniors Golf Association, and spent winters in Naples Florida.

She is survived by her children and their wives - Edward and Marlin (Pulaski) Barad, Huntley Barad and Tirzah Mutrux, and Thomas and Jill (Elikann) Barad; six grandchildren and their spouses - Lucy (Barad) and Steve Nobles, Meredith Barad and Matt Richtell, Jonathan and Alison Barad, Alexander and Gabbi Barad, Caroline Barad and Anthony Capone, and Justin Barad; and nine great grandchildren - Calvin, Ruby, Milo, Mirabel, Max, Spencer, Elliott,

Laurence and Harrison; and her niece Barbara Greenspoon.

She was one of a kind, determined, committed to family and friends. She carried her beauty with modesty and class – a charmer, who loved Judaism, piano, the baseball Cardinals and a good story.

A funeral service was held Monday, May 1 at Berger Memorial Chapel, followed by interment at B’nai Amoona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Morris A. Funk Education Fund at Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 S Mason Rd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

Remembering STEVE BLIVES

Heaven just got a little livelier with the welcoming of Steven Lee (Steve) Blives who passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2023, after a grand farewell party during his short hospitalization—with his children and grandchildren—which included merriment and 50’s music. No more of a fitting send-off could have been had because his family was the most important thing to him.

Steve graduated from Clayton High School and received his BFA from Washington University’s School of Fine Art, where he met his sweetie, Judith “Judy” in Art Class. After college, Steve began his career at Monsanto as a graphic designer until going out on his own to start Blives Consulting Company with Judy in 1973, which he ran for 40+ years. It was a design, marketing, and advertising company and because of his humor and wit, many of his clients became his best friends. He was also a member of the St. Louis Business Marketing Association.

When he wasn’t working, he could often be seen at the JCC working out early with his friends and running with the Asphasia jogging club. Steve was a very charitable person and served on various Boards of Directors. Every year he helped his friends Joanie and Alan Protzel with the Joe Stone Memorial Golf tournament which raises money for military and pediatric cancer charities.

Steve loved his grandkids, classic cars, pistachios, long back scratches, and a cold coke in a bottle. Even when suffering from Dementia he never forgot his sense of humor. During the hardest parts of life, he still could find something to laugh about. His last words were, “I want a pickle and I want to take a nap and DO NOT wake me up for dinner.”

He is survived by the great loves of his life, his family: Beloved husband of 60 years to Judith Mendica Blives; Dear Father of Mindy (Bruce) Blives McCoy, Missy (Anthony) Blives Castro; Loving Paw Paw to Zoe Castro, Zinnia Castro, Sicily Castro, Aidan McCoy and Connor McCoy; Dear brother to Carole Scroeder, Robin Creager, and half-sisters Marla Barry, and Dawn Klumpers.; dear friend to many. He will be dearly

Families may submit an obituary for a loved one through the funeral home they work with or by using a form on the Jewish Light’s website: stljewishlight.org/submit-obituary missed by all. To further carry on Steve’s memory, help make the world a better place and do one thing today that makes you share a laugh with someone.

Graveside service Thursday, May 18, 2023, 2:00pm at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123. Tributes in memory of Steve Blives may be made to Rainbows for Kids, a 501 (c) charity near to his heart by going to RainbowsForKids.org to donate or mailing a check to Rainbows for Kids, 7221 Waterford Drive, St. Louis, MO 63123. A Rindskopf-Roth Service

SAMUEL J BROH, April 18, 2023

Passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 after a long illness. Sam was born in St. Louis on October 14, 1945 to Janet and Harry Broh. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1963 and the University of Missouri in 1967. While at Mizzou, Sam was a proud member of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. After serving in the Army based on Okinawa, he entered Emory University. After graduation, Sam moved to Huntington, West Virginia to join his father in the Coca-Cola bottling and distribution business. He eventually returned to St. Louis where he was engaged in the bottled water business. Sam served as the SecretaryTreasurer and Executive Director of the Central States Bottled Water Association from 2009 until his death.

While in Huntington, there was no organized youth or high school soccer programs in the state of West Virginia. He began coaching and refereeing youth soccer. In 1978, Sam led a group of five youth coaches to start the first Varsity High School soccer league in the state. For several years, Sam continued coaching the Vinson High School soccer team while serving as the administrator for other coaches and referees in the Huntington League. Sam was instrumental in developing the Marshall University Men’s Soccer Program in 1979. He was in attendance when the team won the National Championship in 2020 and was so proud.

Sam was always involved in sports, both as a participant and a spectator. He participated on tennis teams in both high school and college, and continued playing as an adult. His love for tennis eventually turned into a love of golf and Sam played regularly at Meadowbrook Country Club. In 2018, Sam was inducted into both the West Virginia Soccer Association Hall of Fame and the St. Louis Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Sam is the beloved husband of Judith Scissors and the dear step-father of Michael Scissors (Lori) and Melinda Conley (Reed). He is survived by brothers Stanley Sclove (Caryl), Robert Scharff, Jr. (Martha), David Sclove (Carol), Andrew Broh (Nancy), Richard Scharff and sisters Patricia Bort (Steve), Lisabeth Margulus (Michael), and Virginia Scharff (Chris Wilson). Sam is a beloved step-grandfather, uncle, greatuncle, cousin, and friend to so many.

A funeral service was held Sunday, April 23 at Temple Emanuel. Memorial contributions preferred to the Julius and Harry Broh Scholarship Fund at Marshall University in

Huntington, West Virginia or a charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for Live Stream information. Berger Memorial Service

DANIEL P. “DANNY” GOLDSMITH, April 16, 2023

Beloved son of Lexie and Steve Goldsmith; dearest brother of Matthew Goldsmith; dear grandson of the late Diane Goldsmith, the late Guenter Goldsmith, Ann Goldsmith, and the late Alla Boubnoff; dear nephew of Judy and Max Bierman and Hal and Marcia Goldsmith; dear cousin of Cody Bierman, Casey Bierman, Jacob Goldsmith, and Benjamin Goldsmith. Loving friend to so many.

Danny was a proud graduate of Parkway North High School and the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. He spent many summers as a camper, and later, as camp staff at Camp Taum Sauk. Danny discovered his love of camping, hiking, rock climbing, and snow skiing, as well as international travel as a student. He did college internships and studied in France and Israel and also spent a semester in Spain. He was recently promoted to the position of Director of Marketing at Bambee in Los Angeles and previously worked for Buckingham Wealth Management in St. Louis.

Danny made many lifelong friends wherever he ventured. He seamlessly united his many groups of friends from his years in school, UH preschool and religious school, Taum Sauk, fraternity, travel, and employment. He was the light of his family’s life, and particularly for his best friend, his brother, Matt.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, April 23 at 11:30 AM at Berger Memorial Chapel.

Donations in Danny’s honor may be made to the “Danny Goldsmith Camp Scholarship Fund” for children in need, and mailed to: Morgan Stanley, 7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 2100, Clayton, MO 63105. Donations may also be made to United Hebrew Congregation or to a charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel. com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

SHIRLEY LIEBER KRONEMER, May 2, 2023

Beloved wife of the late Raymond Lieber and the late Dr. Norton Kronemer. Cherished mother of Neil Lieber, Greg (Laura) Lieber and Karen Guberman. Step-mother of Dr. Keith (Susan) Kronemer, Mark (Cathleen) Kronemer and Seth (Jessica) Kronemer. Loving grandmother of Adam, Jacob and Simon Lieber, Lisa (Nathan) Olvey, Stephanie Guberman, Jordan and Sabrina Kronemer, Stephanie (Terry) Davenport and Jillian Kronemer. Dear great-grandmother of Madelyn and Billie Davenport. Beloved sister and sister-in-law of Nancy (Howard) Agronin Blonsky, Nancy Raskas, Betty Lou Raskas, Marshall Myers and the late Jerry Raskas, Herbert Raskas and Sara Myers. Former mother-in-law of Martin Guberman. Beloved daughter of the late Abraham and Ethel Raskas. Dear aunt, cousin and friend.

During her life Shirley impacted many people’s lives through her acts of kindness. She volunteered with the National Kidney Foundation and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. From a very young age she shared her beautiful voice singing at the Muny Opera, and in her later years, with the St. Louis Show Stoppers. She will be truly missed.

A graveside service was held Thursday, May 4 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Contributions in her memory may be made to Traditional Congregation, 12437 Ladue Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141. A RindskopfRoth Service

KAREN MICHELE MEYERS (nee Finbloom) passed away peacefully on May 4, 2023 with her children by her side.

Beloved mother of Lisa (Mark) Hirsch and Scott (Caitlin) Meyers. Loving grandmother of Jake and Paxton Hirsch and Quinn and Mason Meyers. Dear sister of Alan (Karen) Finbloom and Norm (Dawn) Finbloom. Beloved daughter of the late Joe and Lorraine Finbloom. Dear aunt, cousin and friend.

A graveside service was held Monday, May 8 at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650 White Road. Contributions in Karen’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110. A Rindskopf-Roth Service

JOANNE L. MINNIHAN, ED.D., April 25, 2023

Beloved wife of Kevin Minnihan for 45 years. Dear mother of David and Jared Minnihan. Loving sister of Elise (Terry) Silverstein and Pamela Wootton. Beloved daughter of the late Harold and Joyce Srenco. Loving cousin of Alison Fryd. Our dear aunt, cousin and friend.

A graveside service was held Friday, April 28 at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650 White Road. Contributions in her memory may be made to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine Street, St. Louis, MO, 63103. A Rindskopf-Roth Service

MICHAEL BARRY SIEGEL, May 1, 2023.

Beloved son of Howard J. Siegel and the late Frances Goldstein Siegel; Father of Alison Siegel Kerins (David) and Amanda Kheyfets (Arthur); dear brother and brother in law of Nancy Brickner (Eric) and David Siegel (Molly); Uncle to Ashly and Melanie; Greatuncle to Evelyn; Nephew to Rosalyn Halberstadter.

Mike graduated from Parkway Central High School in 1971 and the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1975 with a Bachelor Degree in Business. He was also a member of ZBT fraternity.

Mike worked in home improvement during his career. He had a passion for fishing and spent many a happy hour chasing a Lunker.

There was a Memorial Service on Monday, May 8 (Also Available Via Live Stream) at Berger Memorial Chapel, 9430 Olive Blvd. 63132. Memorial contributions preferred to United Hebrew Congregation or a charity of your choice. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com to view the service and for more information.

Berger Memorial Service

LEE “SUE” SMITH, April 23, 2023

Born October 2, 1931 in St. Louis Missouri. Beloved wife of Dr. Carl Smith for 23 years.

Daughter of the late Jeane (Earl) Susman and Budd (Marian Jeane) Lewin. Sister to the late Mary (late Marv) Cummins.

Mother of Rick (Lisa), the late Joanne (Steve)

Dyvig and Jim (Tracey)

Gans. Stepmother of Lillian McCrady.

Grandmother to Becky (Mike) Solomonov, Ashley Loehr, Jeff Gans, Tyler (Jenn) Gans and Rachel (Matt) Barrand. Great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.

Sue enjoyed her career as an English teacher at Visitation Academy, except for the years she was picked to oversee the school’s yearbook.

Obituaries Index

Balk, Steven B. Barad, Susan Ruth Blives, Steve Broh, Samuel J. Goldsmith, Daniel P.

“Danny”

Kronemer, Shirley Lieber

Meyers, Karen Michele

Minnihan, Joanne L. Siegel, Michael Barry Smith, Lee “Sue”

Sokolik, James Irwin

She retired for a brief period before beginning a second career as a therapist and counselor, working first for several companies and later starting her own.

After finally retiring she began painting is several mediums and she especially enjoyed painting religious icons and giving some to friends and selling others. She proudly displayed her water color paintings at the Ely Minnesota Art Fair.

Sue and Carl loved their summers spent on Burntside Lake in Ely where they spent time boating and visiting with their Minnesota friends. They loved their cats and you could always find one or two of them running around the house. Sue loved to travel and travel she did, with Carl, with her mother and sister and with friends. Trips included China, Italy, Iceland, France, Israel and other destinations too numerous to list. And she and Carl loved their Cardinals.

The funeral was held Tuesday, April 25 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 9 South Bompart. Interment was at Valhalla Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers please contribute to: St. Louis Children’s Hospital, One Children’s Place, St. Louis, MO 63110.

JAMES IRWIN SOKOLIK, March 30, 2023

Preceded in death by his wife, Cindy Wrobel; brother Barry Sokolik and parents Joseph and Anita Sokolik. Survived by his significant other, Sandy Bigg; sister Dianne Schwartz (Jack); brother-in-law Brian Wrobel (Sharon); nephews Scott Schwartz (Melissa Field) and Jake Wrobel (Rachael); nieces Dana Schwartz and Gwen Arford (Scott); great-nieces Darcy and Sofia Schwartz and great-nephews Mason Schwartz and Lucas and Owen Wrobel; and Sandy’s children Mark (Ayesha), Paul, and Jeff (Michelle) Bigg.

Jim had a creative mind and a love of nature that he expressed through his career as a photographer. He traveled around the world twice and captured many wonders with his camera. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and juried shows, including the St. Louis Art Fair. He was especially proud of an award he received from the Sierra Club for his photograph of a leaf under ice. His art is a part of the collections of many corporations including AT&T, BJC Hospital, Mercy Heart Hospital, Mastercard, among others. In recent years, Jim explored other arts, including drawing, ceramics, and metal works. He savored the creative process and enjoyed collaborating with fellow artists at Craft Alliance.

Jim was an active person who loved yoga, hiking in the Rocky Mountains and biking in St. Louis Forest Park. He had a wonderful sense of humor and an inquisitive thirst for new knowledge. He was a loving caregiver to his wife, Cindy, during her long battle with cancer and a gentle soul and dear friend to many.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Craft Alliance, 5080 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO. 63108. Berger Memorial Service