Former Bluffton High School principal and later Bluffton superintendent Steven D. Castle, 57, died on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at Mount Carmel Emergency Room Franklinton, Columbus. 

He was born on Sept.10, 1962, in Lima, to Charles R. and Barbara F. (Newland) Castle, Sr., and they survive in Ada. On Nov. 18, 1990, he married Beth A. Burklo and she survives in Dublin.

The Ada native was in education his entire professional career. He first taught junior high reading at Upper Sandusky, physical education at Lima Shawnee, and high school science, physical education and athletic director at Parkway. From 1993 to 1996 he was principal at New Knoxville. 

From January 1997 to the spring of that year he was hired by the Bluffton school board as high school principal. He was then hired as superintendent and held that position from the summer of 1997 until 2003.

After leaving Bluffton, he was superintendent at Delaware City Schools from 2003 to 2005 and later was superintendent at New Albany.

He is also survived by a step daughter, Georgiana Quigley of Gahanna; a grandson, Joseph Quigley; a brother, Charles R. (Jill) Castle, Jr of Ada; and a sister, Cathy (Tom) Coburn of Ada.

A private family service will be held at a later date. It was his wish to be cremated.