Steven "Bear" D. Leiber, 51, died at 12:52 p.m., March 27, 2018, at Vancrest Nursing Home of Ada.  Steve was born July 2, 1966, in Bluffton to Dwain and LouAnn (Seever) Leiber.

Bear was injured 13 years ago from a snowmobile accident.  He was a 1985 graduate of Bluffton High School and had worked at DTR Industries in Bluffton. 

Bear had many interests which included football, swimming, track and racing. He also loved snowmobiling, dirt biking, 4-wheeling and hunting.  Bear started driving go-karts when he was 4 years old and graduated to sprint cars.  He was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton.  Bear was a fun loving guy who had many friends and touched all who knew him. 

Survivors include his parents, Dwain and LouAnn Leiber of Bluffton; two sisters, Debra Leiber of Bluffton, Rebecca Leiber of Bluffton; two nephews, Kyl Aller and Kayl Aller; a niece, Brandy Aller and two great nephews, Braylin and Colton Aller.

Bear was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Russell and Thula (Sanders) Leiber; and maternal grandparents, Charles and Imo Jean (Bowman) Seever.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 31, at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton. Pastor Jeremy Mann officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton following the service.  Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita's Hospice or Emmanuel United Church of Christ.  

The family would like to extend their appreciation to all of the nurses and staff at Richland Manor, Vancrest of Ada and St. Rita's Hospice for their excellent care given to Bear. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton