ERIE — Steven Richard Arblaster II, 40, of 4126 Amherst Road, Erie (Millcreek Township, Erie County), died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at 10:45 p.m. at the VA Hospital in Erie.

He was born June 12, 1969, in Grove City, a son of Steven Richard Arblaster I and Linda A. Palmer Arblaster. He married Gina Marie Monico on May 3, 1997.

He was employed at General Electric of Erie, where he was an environmental health and safety director (EHS). General Electric has created the Steve Arblaster Award, which will be given yearly to individuals worldwide to better recognize the importance of the EHS function at General Electric. This award was named in honor of Steve in recognition of Steve’s leadership in launching the EHS programs in the transportation service business.

He was a 1987 Graduate of Slippery Rock High School and received a bachelor of science degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 1994 and a master of business administration from Gannon University in Erie in 2004.

He served in the U.S. Army in active duty from 1987 to 1990 and the Army National Guard for 11 years.

Steven loved hunting, golf and his children

He attended Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Erie

Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Gina Marie Arblaster of the residence; a son, Steven Richard Arblaster III, and two daughters, Stefanie Marie Arblaster and Alyssa Marie Arblaster, all of the residence; and a sister, Rebecca Geibel of Karns City.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.

The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Lewis of West Liberty United Methodist Church officiating.

Interment will be in Prairie Cemetery in Harrisville, with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to the ALS Association of Pittsburgh.

The family would like to extend a “special thank you” to the VNA Hospice Nurses of Butler County.