Dana J. Steffel, 55, of Angola, IN passed away Friday, January 30, 2026. He was born December 14, 1970, to David & Patricia (Osburn) Steffel, graduated from Hebron High School in 1989, and Nashville Auto Diesel College. Dana was currently employed by Always On Technologies in Fort Wayne specializing in automation and security.
Dana’s strong work ethic and generous nature was only enhanced by his sarcastic humor. He loved returning to Nashville with family & friends, camping & fishing trips to various locations, and enjoying bonfires with friends & family. His frequent naps with the family’s 20-year-old feline, “Shadow” seemed to serve both of them well. But it was his family and country that always came first in his heart.
On December 28, 1996, he married Tammi Rhine who survives along with their children: Tyler Steffel & Ashleigh Steffel of Angola, his parents, David & Patricia Steffel of Hebron, siblings: Michele (Kip) Davis of Angola & Craig (Olivia) Steffel of Merrillville, and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
A visitation will be held Friday, February 6th from 3 – 7 pm CST at Kosanke Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Kouts, IN. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 7th beginning at 10:00 am CST at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 302 N. Madison St., Hebron, IN with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kouts. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a cause near to Dana’s heart that he supported generously.
A celebration of life to be held in Angola this coming summer will be announced at a later date.
GUESTBOOK
To Tammi, I cannot begin to imagine the grief, loss and bewilderment you are feeling right now. To Tyler, Ashleigh, I am soo sorry for the loss of your dad. To Craig and Michelle, The feeling of missing your sibling is something I can only try to imagine and cannot fathom. To Aunt Pat and Uncle Dave, The loss of your child is not something that a parent should feel. My heart is broken for you both. Love, -Gayle Osburn (and from Fred)
Nothing then words can say. Sorry for your lost Tammi. My deepest condolences to you, your children, and the rest of your family. Dana was a good guy even though I knew him growing up and going to school at Hebron and knowing you as well. Prayers and thoughts to your whole family. He will be deeply missed. -Kevin Centifanto
Though we need to weep your loss, You dwell in that safe place in our hearts, Where no storm or night or pain can reach you. Your love was like the dawn Brightening over our lives Awakening beneath the dark A further adventure of colour. The sound of your voice Found for us A new music That brightened everything. Whatever you enfolded in your gaze Quickened in the joy of its being; You placed smiles like flowers On the altar of the heart. Your mind always sparkled With wonder at things. Though your days here were brief, Your spirit was live, awake, complete. We look towards each other no longer From the old distance of our names; Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath, As close to us as we are to ourselves. Though we cannot see you with outward eyes, We know our soul's gaze is upon your face, Smiling back at us from within everything To which we bring our best refinement. Let us not look for you only in memory, Where we would grow lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence, Beside us when beauty brightens, When kindness glows And music echoes eternal tones. When orchids brighten the earth, Darkest winter has turned to spring; May this dark grief flower with hope In every heart that loves you. May you continue to inspire us: To enter each day with a generous heart. To serve the call of courage and love Until we see your beautiful face again In that land where there is no more separation, Where all tears will be wiped from our mind, And where we will never lose you again. -April Steffel
