Thomas R. Steinhelfer, 63, of Bellefontaine, died Saturday, July 25, 2020 at his residence.
Thomas was born on March 21, 1957, in Logan County, youngest child of Richard L. and Norma A. (Turner) Steinhelfer.
Tom was his own man, an entrepreneur who had many interests and held many positions over the years. He is best remembered as longtime owner and operator of the Hopewell Deli in Bellefontaine, and as a limousine driver and chauffeur.
Sandwiched between his early life and later years in Bellefontaine was time he spent in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. His many interests included a love for music and writing. A graduate of Bellefontaine High School, he also attended classes at the University of Toledo. An early marriage ended in divorce.
Tom was fun-loving and jovial, a free-spirited and kindhearted man, with a warm personality that was quick to laugh. Nieces and nephews remember rides in his limousine, and being regaled with stories of all the celebrities he had met and places he’d seen.
Tom is survived by his mother, Norma, of West Liberty; sister Geraldine Steinhelfer (Sonny Kosakowski), of Toledo; nieces Gretchen Herbst of Atlanta, Ga., and Tonya Kosakowski of Toledo; nephews Adam and Zayne Suever of Bellefontaine; step-nieces Laura (Jeff) Schmidt of Richland, Mich., and Heather (Phil) Wolford of Richwood; sister-in-law Cynthia Steinhelfer of Marysville; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Tom is predeceased by his father, Richard, in 1975; his sister, Christine Suever, in 1985; sister-in-law Juanita Steinhelfer, in 2007; and his brother, Donald “Laban” Steinhelfer, in 2017.
A private family graveside service will take place at a later date at Huntsville Cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.jenningsfarley.com