Ray Steffler

Ray Steffler was a man of quiet strength and deep faith who loved his family and the community.

“He was a great man,” said Shirley DelSignore, of Youngstown, whose granddaughter is in a relationship with Steffler's grandson.

About 100 family, friends, officials and community members gathered at Butler County Community College on Sunday to share feelings, memories and emotions while recalling the person who left a mark on their lives at the Celebration of the Life of Ray Steffler.

Steffler, of Valencia, died last month at 82 years old. Rev. Jim Dollhopf said he was a person who had a positive effect on everyone.

Steffler served 34 years as a member of the Board of Trustees at BC3, including the last 20 years as chairman.

He would greet Dollhopf with a warm welcome at BC3 commencement where he would give the benediction.

“He made sure I knew he was appreciative of what I had done,” Dollhopf said. “People's hearts are changed by compassion and understanding.”

Steffler was a mentor and friend.

“I lost a wise uncle,” said state Sen. Scott Hutchinson. “Someone who had wise counsel, great advice and a great example for how people should be treated and for how public officials should carry out their duties.”

He was also a firm public servant.

When Hutchinson took office in 2013, Steffler helped him find his bearings in the Butler community, he said.

“He was a uniter, not a divider,” Hutchinson said. “He had that old fashioned common sense.”

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