Stephen Karl "Steve" Alvey, age 67 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully and entered his Heavenly home on Friday, September 23, 2016 at the Marion V.A. Medical Center in Marion following an extensive illness. He was born September 29, 1948 in Elwood, the son of Morris L. and Ellen (Hughes) Alvey. Steve worked as a guard at the Pendleton Correctional Facility for 10 years, and retired in 1997. He also formerly worked as a barber in the area for 20 years along with his brother, Stan, for many of those years. He attended Florida State University, and served his country in the U.S. Army for 3 years during the Vietnam War, stationed in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He received 2 Purple Hearts for wounds he received in combat action. Later, he married the love of his life, Linda B. Croy on November 8, 1980, and they shared over 33 years of marriage together. Steve was formerly active in the Charity Inn Church in Elwood and the Elwood American Legion. He was a loyal veteran, proud patriot, and devoted to his country. Earlier in life, Steve was an avid motorcycle rider and airplane pilot who flew both airplanes and ultralights. He also enjoyed fishing, shooting guns, and especially feeding the birds in recent years. More than anything, he loved to spend time with his family, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Steve's family includes 3 children, Brooke (husband Joe) Gazdon of Florida, Joshua (wife Jill) Alvey of Missouri, and Julie Corbett of Elwood; 5 siblings, Ed Morris (wife Elizabeth) Alvey of Anderson, twin brother - Rev. Stan (wife Becky) Alvey of Elwood, Glen (wife April) Alvey of Elwood, Nancy (husband Steve) Hudson of Elwood, and Leann (husband Daryl) Napper of Elwood; 9 grandchildren; sister-in-law, Nancy Alvey of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Linda B. Alvey in 2014; daughter, Tina Alvey-Davis; son, Eric Carpenter; granddaughter, Elura Gazdon; and grandson, Christopher Corbett.

A funeral service honoring Steve's life will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Steve's brother, Rev. Stan Alvey, officiating. Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery, and will include military honors by the U.S. Army and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 AM to 1:00 PM prior to the funeral on Tuesday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Morrisett Center Food Pantry or the Disabled Veteran's Fund both through the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at copherfeslermay.com.