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, Ohio, whose granddaughter is in a relationship with Steffler’s grandson.

About 100 family, friends, officials and community members shared feelings, memories and emotions at the Celebration of the Life of Ray Steffler on Sunday at BC3 to recall the person who left a mark on their lives.

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

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.”

One event Steffler enjoyed at BC3 was the GED Celebrating Everyday Heroes Commencement.

“He always talked about the inspiring stories that he heard,” Hutchinson said. “He wanted people to succeed and have that opportunity to succeed.”

The last time Hutchinson met Steffler was the day before he died, he said.

“As I walked in the room he said, ‘Well I guess I’m at the end of the line,’” he said. “That hurt, but it was a reality.”

He had a chance to speak and laugh with Steffler, Hutchinson said.

“May we all keep the wonderful example of Ray Steffler as we go about our daily lives,” he said.

Sen. Mary Jo White worked with Steffler for 13 years. White was always impressed by his soft voice, pleasant demeanor and smile, she said.

“Beneath that exterior, Ray had a core of steel,” White said. “He had strong convictions, strong faith, strong beliefs, strong love of family, loyal. ... In addition to that strength, he was a man of caring and compassion,” she said.

In 1985 when Steffler joined the BC3 board of trustees, Butler County Community College president Nick Neupauer was graduating from high school.

Steffler worked with seven of the college’s eight presidents, Neupauer said. Steffler and his family are among the largest donors to the BC3 education foundation.

“Ray has been there every step of the way,” Neupauer said.

Steffler, along with his legendary sayings, will be missed. “When times would be tough, Ray would always say, ‘This ain’t my first rodeo,’” Neupauer said. “We will never ever forget (him).”