It’s likely that you lost a cultural icon who meant something to you during 2025, whether from the world of religion, politics, the arts or sports.

Whether they helped to entertain us, on stage, on film or on television; whether they dazzled us through their accomplishments in athletics; or whether they helped to change the course of the world, each served as a reminder about the importance one person can have on countless numbers of lives.

At least one of those deaths had a connection to Steubenville. Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent who jumped onto the back of President John F. Kennedy’s limousine after the president had been mortally wounded, delivered the first presentation in the Herald-Star Speaker Series. Hill, who was forced to retire early because of the memories that haunted him from that day in Dallas, took to the stage in the Steubenville High School Auditorium on Nov. 14, 2012. He offered memories of the assassination and of leading the detail that had been assigned to protect first lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Joining Hill was his then-co-author, Lisa McCubbin, whom he eventually married.

Hill died Feb. 21 at the age of 93.

Also leaving us was Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, who charmed the world with his humble style. He died on April 21 at the age of 88.

From the world of entertainment, Rob Reiner, the son of the comedy giant Carl Reiner who became one of the top filmmakers of his generation, was fatally stabbed along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, on Dec. 14.

We also lost, among others, Gene Hackman, who was one of the industry’s most-respected actors; Michelle Trachtenberg, a child star in the late 1990s; George Foreman, a former boxer and entrepreneur; Val Kilmer, who portrayed Iceman in “Top Gun” as well as Batman and Jim Morrison; Jay North, TV’s Dennis the Menace in the late 1950s; Wink Martindale, a longtime gameshow host; Ruth Buzzi, who starred in “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In;” George Wendt from “Cheers;” Loretta Swit from “M.A.S.H.;” Malcom-Jamal Werner of “The Cosby Show;” Loni Anderson of “WKRP in Cincinnati;” the iconic Robert Redford; and Anthony Geary, who was the Luke of “General Hospital’s” super couple Luke and Laura.

From the world of music, we lost Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys; Bobby Sherman, a teen idol from the 1960s; Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal; Chuck Mangione, a Grammy Award winner; Cleo Lane, a contralto jazz star; Ace Frehley, a founding member of Kiss; pop star Connie Francis; and George Kooymans of Golden Earring.

Politicians who left us include retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter, former New York Congressman Charles Rangel, former CIA Director William Webster and former Vice President Dick Cheney.

In national sports, we lost Bob Uecker, a Hall of Fame broadcaster who turned a forgettable playing career into a punchline; and Paul Tagliabue, former commissioner of the National Football League. The world of Pittsburgh sports saw the deaths of two treasured broadcasters — Craig Wolfley, a former Steeler lineman who became a premier analyst and was a key part of the team’s radio broadcasts, and Mike Lange, the Hall of Fame announcer who called Penguins games on TV and radio for decades. Also leaving us was Bob Veale, who was a pitcher on the Pirates 1971 World Series-winning team.

The world of space exploration saw the loss of astronaut James Lovell, who, along with Frank Borman and William Anders on Apollo 8, became the first astronauts to fly to and orbit the moon, and as the commander of Apollo 13 helped direct the crippled ship and crew safely back to Earth.

And, the James Bond franchise lost Joe Don Baker, who portrayed Brad Whitaker in “The Living Daylights” and Jack Wade in “Golden Eye” and “Tomorrow Never Dies.”

While all of these deaths might have had an impact on us, it’s important to keep in mind that we’ve all been touched by personal loses during the past year and have mourned the deaths of friends and relatives. Those are the people we must keep in mind as we move forward, because they are the ones who have helped to shape our lives.