Kenneth “Ken” E. Steffen, 89, of Bluffton, passed away Saturday evening, Sept. 19, 2026, at his residence.
Ken was born in Wells County on Feb. 14, 1937, to Tobias Louis and Martha (Baumgartner) Steffen. He married Roberta A. Holloway in Bluffton on Jan. 1, 1961; she survives.
A 1955 graduate of Lancaster Central High School, Ken was a long-time member of the Apostolic Christian Church. In 1950, at the age of 13, he started working at the Dutch Mill in Bluffton, which he eventually owned and operated for several years until it burnt down in 1997. He also served in the United States Army from 1960 until 1962.
Ken was very musically talented and spent many years singing in the Summit City Chorus. He played several instruments, including the accordion, organ and piano, and performed at countless weddings and funerals throughout the years. Ken and Roberta also owned and operated their home rental business for many years in the Bluffton area.
In addition to his wife Roberta, Ken is survived by a son, Jeff (Robin) Steffen of Phoenix, Arizona; two daughters, Angie (Randy) McClain of Ossian and Elaine (Eric) Olson of Omaha, Nebraska; a daughter-in-law, Jayla Steffen of Bluffton; along with 17 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Aside from his parents, Ken was preceded in death by a son, Tobias “Toby” Steffen; four brothers, (infant) Louis Tobias Steffen, Elmer Steffen, (infant) Billy Joe Steffen and Harry Steffen; five sisters, Norma Eisemann, Velma Fulkerson, Lucille Borror, Hilda Robinson and Mary Anne Kaehr; along with one great-grandson.
Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, from 1 until 7 p.m., at Goodwin – Harnish Funeral Home in Bluffton. Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m., at the Apostolic Christian Church East, with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the church. Tim Drayer and Dan Pfister will officiate. Burial will follow at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Adams County, with military graveside rites conducted by the American Legion Post 111 in conjunction with the United States Army honor guard.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Summit City Chorus.
Online condolences may be shared at www.goodwinharnish.com.