Duane Allen Steffen

Duane Allen Steffen, 64 of Bluffton, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by his family. Duane was born on August 28, 1961, in Wells County to Robert Steffen & Carol (Riggenbach) Tarr. He was a 1980 graduate of Bluffton High School and continued his education with IPFW. He started working at Star Engineering with his father, and worked his way up to be an Automation Robotic Engineer at WEG Electric in Bluffton. Duane was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church and was involved with prison ministry and the Hospital Lumiere Ministry in Haiti. He was a self-motivated DIY guy that had a passion for building anything. Most of all, Duane loved the weekly family gatherings on Sunday evenings, with all of his family together. On August 16, 1981, at the Apostolic Christian Church-Country, Duane and Karen (Gerber) were married. Survivors include his wife Karen of Bluffton and children: Jessica (Brian) Steffen of Bluffton, Bradley (Kendra) Steffen of Bluffton, Justin (Larissa) Steffen of Morton, IL., and Sadie (Kevin) Gerber of Bluffton, IN. He was a proud, loving “Grampy” to 17 grandchildren. Duane is also survived by his siblings; Craig Steffen of Bluffton, Amy (Kent) Worthman of Bluffton, Mitchell (Tess) Steffen of Fort Wayne, and Vivian (Rex) Drennen of Montpelier and sister-in-law, Dian Steffen. Duane is preceded in death by his father, Robert Steffen, mother, Carol Tarr and 2 brothers, Kelly & Randall Steffen. Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. on Monday, (Oct. 6, 2025) at the Apostolic Christian Church – Country, with Kole Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at the Apostolic Chrisitan Cemetery in Adams County. The family will be available to visit with guests from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. on Monday, (Oct. 6, 2025) prior to the service at the church. This time will be informal, with no traditional visitation line. The service will start promptly at 3 p.m. Duane was very practical, and the family strongly prefers instead of sending flowers, plants and gifts, that memorials be made in Duane’s memory to Friends Who Care Cancer Relief Foundation or to Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne and can be sent to the funeral home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send condolences online to the family at www.thomarich.com.

Duane Allen Steffen

August 28, 1961 - October 3, 2025