Stephen Vincent LaBarge

Stephen (Steve) LaBarge passed away peacefully at home on June 27, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children after a brave two-year battle with glioblastoma.

Steve was born to Mary and John (Jack) LaBarge in St. Louis, Missouri on August 11, 1967. He was the eldest child in a loving family that valued community, education, the arts, and the great outdoors. He graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1985 and St. Louis University in 1989. He then graduated from the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine in 1993. He completed the Indiana University School of Medicine’s residency in anesthesiology and practiced for nearly 30 years.

Steve and Leslie met in Indianapolis during his residency, and they were married in 1996. They have three children together: John Paul, Maria, and Peter. Steve was an enthusiastic, present, and loving father and husband. He loved going to his kids’ concerts and sporting events, and supported all of their academic and professional pursuits.

Steve found joy and purpose in serving others, and he loved being a physician. He spent the majority of his career with Community Health Network, working at Community North, East, and South hospitals, where he developed lasting friendships with his colleagues and co-workers.

Music played a huge part in Steve’s life. He cherished all forms of music, and taught his children to view music as a form of meditation and a way to transcend everyday life. He was an avid attendee of live music events, including Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, and the Van Cliburn piano competition in Texas. He served as a board member of the Indianapolis Opera. Steve particularly enjoyed playing the piano, which he studied and practiced throughout his life. He also loved participating in and organizing piano recitals with his friends and family. He enjoyed listening to the choir of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he was a parishioner.

Steve was a proud lifelong learner who loved reading, listening to lectures, doing crosswords, and playing trivia with his friends and family. He was a diligent planner, always looking forward to family vacations and outings focused on exploring nature, culture, history, and the arts. Steve's favorite trips included skiing in Colorado with his kids and his beloved “ski team,” hiking with his sons on the John Muir Trail, and exploring Sedona and the Grand Canyon with his family.

Steve had an adventurous spirit that spanned his life. Among his great adventures were biking the entire Pacific Coast Highway from Canada to Mexico and summiting Mount Rainier.

Steve was a lover of sports. He enjoyed taking his family to St. Louis Cardinals games, cheering on the St. Louis Blues, and rooting for the Indiana Pacers. He was always excited to play in his men's ice hockey league, which he did for over 20 years.

Everyone who knew Steve was familiar with his generosity of spirit, his ability to bring people together, his optimistic nature, and his warm, witty sense of humor. He was always interested in the lives of others and loved finding common ground with people. Even after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, Steve remained thankful, active, and excited about life.

He is survived by his devoted wife of thirty years, Leslie, and their three children, John Paul, Maria, and Peter LaBarge. He is also survived by his parents, Jack and Mary LaBarge, four siblings, Tim LaBarge (Sara), Tom LaBarge, Gene LaBarge (Anne), and Elise LaBarge (John Armstrong), his sisters-in-law, Terri Kralis-Koch (Al) and Andrea Toscano (Fabrice), and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his many aunts, uncles, and cousins, whom he loved keeping in touch with throughout his life.

Steve’s family would like to thank his many friends, colleagues, and extended family members for their love and support during his illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 10:30 AM, immediately followed by a reception at Woodstock Club, 1301 West 38th Street, Indianapolis. The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person;

 visit https://trinitychurchindy.org/worship/#livestream

Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Donations in Steve’s memory may be made to:

National Brain Tumor Society

Horizons at St. Richard’s Episcopal School

Community Health Network Foundation

St. Louis University High School