Donald “Laban” Steinhelfer, of Marysville, died Feb. 21, 2017, after a valiant 12-year battle with melanoma.
He was born in Bellefontaine, a son of Richard L. and Norma A. Turner Steinhelfer.
He attended Bowling Green University and Casper College, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in fine arts.
Laban was a self-employed artist and graphic designer, and as owner and operator of RCI Enterprises, produced photographs and designed fact sheets for many Columbus area real estate agents. His employment background included jobs at Marysville’s Honda plant and the Transportation Research Center.
Laban was a talented snare drummer who marched with the Bellefontaine Angels and Marion Cadets drum and bugle corps. In 1971 he realized his dream to play in the snare line of the national champion Casper, Wyo., Troopers. Rudimentary drumming remained his passion throughout the years and he instructed and inspired drummers of all ages.
Laban’s faith in God was very great. He was a quiet and humble man, inspiring others to live by his example. He studied the Bible and wrote dozens of in-depth articles about the mercy and grace of God and about God’s plan of salvation for mankind through Christ Jesus. Many of Laban’s writings can be found at his COG Doctrinal Forum website.
He married Juanita Renner Mapes in September 1980 and she died May 8, 2007. In September 2013 he married Cynthia Peto Seaman.
Laban leaves stepchildren and their families, Laura Mapes and Jeffrey Schmidt of Richland, Mich., with children, Delaney, Rylen and Elias; Heather Mapes and Philip Wolford of Richwood, with sons, Owen and Jude; Erin Seaman and Ron Kidd of Union, with son, Casey; Jeffrey Seaman and Nicole Jones of Hudson Falls, N.Y., with children, Brayden Becker and Paige; and Gregory and Stephanie Cali Seaman of Rochester, N.Y., with daughter, Emma.
Laban is also survived by his mother, Norma Turner Steinhelfer of West Liberty; sister, Geraldine Steinhelfer (Sonny) Kosakowski of Toledo; brother, Thomas Steinhelfer of Bellefontaine, Ohio; nieces, Gretchen Herbst of Atlanta, Ga. and Tonya Kosakowski of Toledo; nephews Adam Suever of Bellefontaine and Zane Suever of West Liberty; as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. Laban’s father, Richard, died in 1975 and his sister, Christine Suever, died in 1985.
An informal celebration of life gathering is from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Saturday, Feb. 25, at Jennings Farley Funeral Home, 5591 S. U.S. Route 68, West Liberty. Graveside servicesare at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at the Huntsville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Loving Care Hospice, 779 London Ave., Marysville, OH 43040.