Deacon Franklyn C. Steffen, a permanent deacon, died Nov. 8, 2017. He was 82.
He was born Sept. 8, 1935, in Buffalo, to Frank and Leola (Palmer) Steffen. He received an associate's degree in human services from Empire State College and worked as a line foreman at Troup Election Construction Company for 39 years. He was ordained a deacon on Oct. 24, 1993, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo.
Deacon Steffen was married to Angeline L. (LaSorsa) Steffen for 62 years. The couple had two children. He served at St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheektowaga for his entire ministry, and was part of the Holy Name Society and the Father Justin Council #5670 of the Knights of Columbus in Cheektowaga.
He is survived by children Dorothy (late Anthony U.) Guzzo and Michael (Sandra) Steffen; grandchildren David (Autumn) Furmanek, Daniel (Melissa) Furmanek and Emily Steffen; and great-grandchildren Eliana and Kathryn Furmanek, as well as nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was held at St. John Gualbert Church in Cheektowaga, with burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheektowaga.