Former Wayland businessman Stephen P. Alflen, 71, died Sunday, Feb. 6.
Born in Plainwell, to Vernon and Mary Lou (Walker) Alflen on Aug. 24, 1950, Steve grew up in Wayland 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 June 6, 1970, with an outdoor ceremony at Gun Lake,. 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 with the Michigan Army National Guard.
When they decided to close the business in 1986, Steve went to full-time service with the Guard while climbing the ranks to Command Sergeant Major and retiring in 2010 after 39 years of service. He served on the Wayland Board of Education, at one time president.
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; 12 grandchildren, 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.
The family will welcome visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings. The funeral will be Saturday, Feb. 12, at Hastings Baptist Church, Woodlawn Ave, Hastings, MI 49058, with Pastors, Matt Moser and Dan Currie officiating.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Hastings Baptist Church, where Steve and Jill have been members for many years.
Statistically it is more difficult to be promoted to Command Seargent Major than to General Officer. CSM Alflen was an outstanding American and warrior.
My sincere condolences to the family. Steve was a great person and very honest businessman. An upper classmate I admired.
I went to school with Steve from elementary thru high school. I also worked for him at the Alflen farm store. Steve also served Wayland union schools as a board member and president. A truly good man who will be missed.