Lawrence Steward Steinmetz

Lawrence Steward Steinmetz was born on May 10, 1939. He left this life on Monday, January 23, 2023, at the age of 83.
Larry was know by many as a scholar, a teacher, an artist, and a minister. He had a huge collection of nutcrackers, a vastly diversified library, and quite a collection of stamps.

Larry was born to Lucile and William “Steward” Steinmetz in Canton, OH. He was the oldest of four children. Known as an artist and scholar from an early age, he much preferred his books and art to playing ball with his sisters. After graduating from Lehman High School in 1959, he attended Hiram College where he majored in Religion and Philosophy. He continued on to Harvard Divinity School, graduating in 1966.

After graduation, he was called to Miami, Florida to serve at Miami First Christian. It was there that he met Frances “Bunny” Lee. They were married in June of 1969.

They moved to Ocala in 1970, where Larry was called to serve as Associate Regional Minister for Florida. During this time in Ocala, their family grew, and he and Bunny welcomed their two children: Susan, in 1971 and Phillip, in 1974. Larry’s career—focused on education, ecumenical relations, and campus ministry—brought him opportunities including director of camps at Silver Spring Conference Center and president of the Florida Commission on United Ministries in Higher Education.

In 1978, Larry’s work took the family to St. Louis, Missouri where he became the Executive Director of Ministries for the Division of Higher Education, working with the United Ministries in Higher Education and the denominational campus ministries on the Disciples of Christ related campuses. Larry also dedicated much time to helping coordinate and oversee ushers for General Assemblies of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In addition to his day job, he served as a minister to a congregation in Litchfield, IL a couple of times a month.

In recognition for his service as a minister, teacher, and diplomat, Larry received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Columbia College in 1986.

In 1994, Larry took the position as Managing Editor of the Year Book and Directory for the Church in Indianapolis. He served in this position until he and Bunny both retired in 2004. Newly retired, they moved to Marietta, Georgia to be near Susan (but really their grandchildren, Michael and Emma).

Larry stayed active in his retirement years. He served on the Board of The Christian College of Georgia and as an elder in their church, Sandy Springs Christian Church. He also taught Sunday School at Sandy Spring—a role he enjoyed until early 2020.

Beyond his work life, Larry had many hobbies and areas of interest. He enjoyed gardening, stamp collecting, crafting Christmas ornaments, reading, working crossword puzzles, collecting nutcrackers, and spending time with his family.

Larry joins his wife Bunny, who passed July 16, 2022, and son, Phillip, who passed in 1998. He is survived by daughter, Susan McCluskey, son-in-law, Tracey McCluskey, grandchildren, Michael and Emma, sisters, Elizabeth Schwab, Marilyn Nathan, and Evelyn Steinmetz, along with five nieces.

Larry’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:00am at Sandy Springs Christian Church, in Sandy Springs, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christian Church Foundation for the Lawrence S. And Frances L. Steinmetz Fund to support ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Christian Church Foundation, P.O. Box 1007, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1007, or online www.christianchurchfoundation.org .