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Keim, Steven L. (1980-2003)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Sep 15 p. 11
Birth date: 1980
text of obituary:
By Mennonite Weekly Review staff
MOUNT HOPE, Ohio — A 23-year-old man was shot to death Sept. 1 after he and a group of Amish youths pelted a passing car with tomatoes north of Mount Hope in rural Holmes County.
Steven L. Keim of Apple Creek was killed while taking part in a traditional Amish prank, according to the Associated Press. The group also had been firing paintball cartridges at passing cars.
Authorities said a male motorist whose car was spattered repeatedly by Keim and a group of about 10 Amish youths later returned to the cornfield where they were hiding and fired several rounds from a shotgun. Keim died from multiple chest wounds.
No arrests had been made as of Sept. 4, and police have no clear description of the suspect or his vehicle.
According to local officials, the tomato lobbing is an annual prank among Amish young people.
Neighbors said Keim's family had left the Amish church and become Mennonites.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Sep 29 p. 7
text of obituary:
By Mennonite Weekly Review staff
HOLMESVILLE, Ohio — A friend of the family of Steven L. Keim, killed while lobbing tomatoes at passing cars Sept. 1, was charged with murder Sept. 16, according to the Associated Press.
Marion D. Weaver, 58, reportedly drove past the dark cornfield near Mount Hope where Keim and 10 others were hiding and harassing motorists in what police called a traditional Amish prank.
After his gray Cadillac was struck repeatedly, Weaver allegedly returned and fired into the field with a shotgun, killing Keim, a Mennonite whose family were formerly Amish.
The AP reported that Weaver was a longtime friend of the Keim family, with whom Steven Keim had enjoyed shooting traps and fishing on Lake Erie.
Weaver was being held by Holmes County authorities on $250,000 bond and could face 15 years to life in prison if convicted.