Steven James Mari

Steven James Mari, 42, of Columbus, formerly of New Philadelphia, died Tuesday in Union Hospital at Dover following a lengthy illness.A son of Dan and Lynn Marsh Perkins and the late Jim Mari, Steven was born September 16, 1965 in Columbus, Ohio.He was a 1984 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, where he played Center on the Quaker’s football team. Following High School he attended Ohio State University.Steven was a Stonemason by trade and had been employed by Karst & Sons, of Columbus, Ohio. He was an accomplished musician and enjoyed music and playing his guitar. He also enjoyed reading, especially the classics, golfing and watching the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Minnesota Vikings.He is survived by his mother and step father; his brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Holly Mari, of New Philadelphia; a nephew, Anthony Mari, of New Philadelphia; a niece, Sydney Mari, of New Philadelphia; an aunt Marsha Mari, of Dover; an uncle and aunt, Jim and Carol Marsh, of New Philadelphia; cousins, Cari Ehrenborg, of Columbus and Tricia Patterson, of Dover and many friends.In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Fred and Elenora Marsh and his paternal grandparents, Joseph “Zip” and Mabel Mari.Visitation will be Thursday September 11, 2008, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory of New Philadelphia. A Service celebrating Steven’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday at 11:00 am., with Pastor Jim Baker, of Word of Faith Christian Center officiating. Burial will be with his father in Calvary Cemetery at Dover.Memorial contributions in memory of Steven are suggested to the Ohio State University Medical Center, 410 W. 10th Ave. Columbus, OH 43210