Stephen A. Longden, 58, of Willard Street in Dowagiac, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Plymouth, Ind., unexpectedly but of natural causes.

He was born on Dec. 26, 1952 in Sturgis, South Dakota to Floyd and Katherine (Lei) Longden and graduated from Sturgis High School. He attended the Collage of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, Minn. and earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich.

He has lived in this area for 30 years and has been employed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 21 years.

Stephen was a member of the Niles ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He enjoyed studying genealogy and history but his greatest pleasure was his family as a husband and a father.

On Jan. 6, 1982 in Swartz Creek, Mich., he married the former Cherie L. Renner, who survives. Also surviving are their children, Dan (Kim) Longden of Charlotte, Mich., Nick Longden of Dowagiac, Sarah (Knowell) Matthews of Fairfield, Maine, Matt Longden of Dowagiac, Rachel Longden of Provo, Utah and Isaac, Katie and Emily Longden all also of Dowagiac; grandchildren Micah, Grace and Seth Longden and Charlee Matthews; his mother, Katherine Longden; brother and sisters Paul Longden of South Dakota, Betty Christensen of Sturgis and Paulette Tryon of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

The funeral service for Stephen A. Longden will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Niles with Bishop Bill Crider, elder Michael Houseman and elder Craig Youngs officiating. Committal will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.

The family will receive relatives and friend at church beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Contributions in memory of Stephen may be made to the donor’s choice.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, in Niles.