Arthur Wayne “Art” Seaman, age 83, a lifelong resident of Shelby, died Sunday, February 22, 2026 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. His death follows a brief and unexpected illness.
Art was born April 16, 1942 in Shelby, the only son of Elmer W. and Gertrude W. (Stevens) Seaman. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1960. Art was a hardworking and dedicated member of the Shelby community throughout his life. He was a longtime yard foreman for Wicks Lumber in Shelby and also worked for Carton Service. Later in his career, he was employed by Pioneer Career and Technology Center. He took pride in his work and truly was a guy who could fix anything.
A farmer at heart, Art loved farming and farm life. He helped farm for the Bricker and Myers families and found great joy in being connected to the land and agricultural community. While in school, he was active in FFA and remained a loyal and longtime supporter of the program throughout his life. He was a member of Buckeye Iron Will and had a deep love for the Richland County Fair. He was incredibly involved in activities in the Red Barn at the fair, where he spent countless hours supporting youth and agricultural programs. The fair was one of his favorite times of the year, and he rarely missed the opportunity to be there.
Incredibly social and active, Art was known for his friendly nature and outgoing personality. He loved to bend your ear and was quite the jokester. He truly never met a stranger, always able to find common ground and strike up a conversation. A friendship he cherished was one with Harley E. Warrick, the man well known for his talent in painting the Mail Pouch Tobacco advertising on barns across many states. He deeply loved his neighbors, who were not only close friends but, in many cases, like family, taking care of each other as such. His warmth, humor, and genuine interest in others made a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Art is survived by his daughter and son-in-law: Michelle and James Bryson of Pine Knoll Shores, NC; granddaughters: Kathryn “Katie” Bryson (James Peden) and Margaret “Maggie” Bryson; sisters: Eltrude “Trudy” Bodkin of State College, PA and Pam (Greg) Davis of Columbus; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends, including a special friend, Joan Swander, and his beloved neighbors. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Myrna Sue (Knee) Seaman, whom he wed on September 6, 1972; his parents; and his sister and brothers-in-law: Sara and Tom Laser and Joe Bodkin.
Art is being buried privately at Oakland Cemetery in Shelby with his beloved wife, Myrna. A time of gathering and storytelling, just like Art would like, will take place in the Spring of 2026 with details to be announced at a later time. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby FFA program.
Care for Art and his family is being provided by the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Condolences may be left on their website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or Facebook page.