Lieutenant Stephen Joseph Toelke
(1952-2024)

 

 

Steve was born May 10, 1952 to Charles C. Toelke, Jr. and Rosmary (Keller) Toelke. He attended La Salle High School where he participated in Glee Club and Speech Club and graduated in June 1970.

While in high school and after graduating, he worked three years as a caddy at Clovernook Country Club and three years at the Ferguson Car Wash as an assistant manager.

In May 1971, Steve joined the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was assigned to Corrections and Military Police including one year at Fort Polk Army Base in Louisiana. Specialist 4 Toelke was honorably discharged in April 1973.

In August 1973, he was appointed Corrections Officer at the Cincinnati Corrections Institute (CCI). 

 CCI was taken over by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and on August 15, 1981 they appointed him as a Corrections Officer 2. On June 15, 1987 he was promoted to Corrections Supervisor I. On January 20, 2000, he was promoted to Corrections Lieutenant. Throughout his career, his performance evaluations, without fail, speak of his communications skills, care for his subordinates, and being an outstanding supervisor. Lieutenant Toelke retired on January 1, 2018 with 46 years of service to his country, community, and county.

Lieutenant Toelke died, surrounded by his family at home, at the age of 72 on October 30, 2024 after a lengthy illness. 

He is predeceased by his sister, Lois Burger. Lieutenant Toelke is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jill Lynn (Tumbleson) Toelke; children, Brandon Dean (Alison) Toelke, Christopher Joseph (Renee) Toelke, and Tara Alexandra (Stephen Harris) Toelke; grandchildren, Ben, Sam, Jake, Brennan, Grace, Will, Ashlynn, and Hayden; and siblings, Chuck (Marilyn) Toelke, Elaine (Paul) Mahler, and Regina (Tom) Arens.

A visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Spring Grove Funeral Homes, 4389 Spring Grove Avenue. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Spring Grove Cemetery.

ara Alexandra.

_{© 2024 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum}