Stephen Paul John Alflen

On February 6, 2022, at the age of 71, Stephen P Alflen was welcomed to his forever home with Jesus while many of his family were at his side.

Born in Plainwell, Michigan, to Vernon and Mary Lou (Walker) Alflen on August 24, 1950. Steve grew up in the Wayland area and lived out his high school years on Gun Lake, graduating from Wayland Union High School in 1968. Steve continued his education at MSU and graduated the top of his class while earning an Associate Degree in Agri-Business. It was on campus that he met his wife, Jill (Vrogindewey) and the two were married with an outdoor ceremony on Gun Lake, June 6, 1970. Steve and Jill raised their three children in Wayland while being the part owner of Alflen Brothers Case and Massey Ferguson Farm Implement Dealership and at the same time serving his country as a soldier with the Michigan Army National Guard. When they decided to close the business in 1986 Steve went to fulltime service with the Guard while climbing the ranks to a CSM (Command Sergeant Major) and retiring from there in 2010 after 39 years of service.

Steve was preceded in death by both of his parents and his brother, Greg Alflen, his in-laws Bruce and Beatrice Vrogindewey and sister-in law Joy St John.

He is survived by his wife, Jill, children Petra and John Hinkle of Hastings, Heath and Jenifer Alflen of Linden, MI, and Trevor Alflen of Avon Lake, Ohio. His twelve grandchildren each having their own special place in his heart and life are Shayli Hinkle, Juliette Alflen, John R Hinkle ,Madison Richardson, Jos Hinkle, Austin Alflen, Jillian Alflen, Braydon Alflen, Kendyl Hinkle, Annaliese Alflen, Petlyn Hinkle and Brooklyn Alflen, and his "Dutch brother" Paul and Lenie Bouten of the Netherlands, sisters Mary Jo Alflen and special friend John Amdor, Tracy and Ron Tanner, in-law siblings Joan and Jim Culp, Richard St John, Jeannie and Rick Reniewicz, several close aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews whom he left with an everlasting footprint on each one.

The family will welcome visitors on Friday, February 11, from 6-8 pm at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058, and again on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Hastings Baptist Church, 309 E. Woodlawn Ave, Hastings, MI 49058 at 10:00 AM, with the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 AM, with very special Pastors, Matt Moser and Dan Currie officiating.  The service will be livestreamed at http://www.facebook.com/GirrbachFuneralHome .  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Hastings Baptist Church where Steve and Jill have been members for many years. Arrangements made by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence or view the full obituary visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.