Steven Arnold

Steven L. Arnold, 67, of Decatur passed away Saturday, June 26, 2021, at his Florida residence. He was born on December 9, 1953, in Decatur to Adrain and Jane (Barber) Arnold.
He marveled at all of God's creation: the small shoots in his fields and gardens in the spring, the serenity of Pretty Lake, the warmth of the sun rays as it rose in the east until it set in the west, and, his favorite, the soft sounds at the beach as the ocean waves would break. He worked hard throughout his life, allowing these last several years to be spent traveling near and far, growing in friendship with so many and deepening his appreciation for the beauty of the world. His love for and dedication to his family was evident above all. He cherished his seven children and deeply adored each one of his 24 grandchildren, always acknowledging how blessed he was.
He lovingly desired to capture every experience with a picture, and everything was picture worthy: an athletic event or recital, a garden's feast, an impromptu gathering of a couple or a dozen, a splash in his pond, a day of fishing, tending to and caring for his chickens, the canning of his bushels upon bushels of apples, a Facetime call with whoever was smiling back at him or just snapping to savor a quick visit. He would drop anything for anyone and his family knew it. And at the very end of every day, he gave thanks to God for His goodness and mercy and prayed faithfully that “God's will, will be done”.
He is survived by the mother of his seven children, Marlene Zeitvogel of Decatur; his friend and partner, Ken Chaffins of Decatur; two sons, Chad (Jenni) Arnold of Dayton, Ohio; and Adam (John) Arnold of St. Louis, Missouri; five daughters, Heather (Christopher) Johnson of Fort Wayne; and April (Aaron) Binegar; Carrie (Luke) Binegar; Lindee (Rich Counterman) Andrews; and Brandi (Nick) Steury, all of Decatur; brother, Allen Arnold of Bradenton, Florida; two sisters, Linda (Jerry) Werling of Fremont; and Leisa (Judd) Girard of Decatur; and 24 grandchildren, Daxtyn, Deztinee, Saige, Dylan, Alex, Chase, Ethyn, Dane, Delilah, Logan, Benjamin, Knox, Dawson, Jacob, Lincoln, Jillian, Isaac, Oliver, Crimsyn, Daniel, Valerie, Michael, Beaudyn and Xavier.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 7 from 3-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the 10 a.m. funeral service Thursday, July 8 at Haggard Sefton Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur. Officiating will be Rev. Timothy Price.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project through Haggard Sefton Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home.
Arrangements provided by Haggard-Sefton-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the guestbook, click on www.hshfuneralhome.com.