NILES — Stephen A. Longden, 58, of Willard Street, Dowagiac, died at 10:01 p.m. 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, S.D., to Floyd and Katherine (Lei) Longden and graduated from Sturgis High School. He attended the College of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, Minn., and earned a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification from Andrews University in Berrien Springs.

He lived in this area for 30 years and was 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, he married the former Cherie L. Renner, who survives.

Also surviving are their children, Dan (Kim) Longden of Charlotte, 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, S.D.

The funeral service for Stephen A. Longden will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 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, Niles.