Stephen Michael Flinders, 71, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, departed this life on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Portsmouth, Ohio.
Mike, the youngest child of the late Leland Gordon and Thelma (Beyers) Flinders, was born on January 4, 1950, in Portsmouth, Ohio.
He was raised on the family farm in Vernon Township and attended Bloom Vernon Schools. Following an extensive career as a Corrections Officer, he retired from Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. As an enthusiastic and knowledgeable collector of antiques, his special interests were auctions, coins, and western memorabilia.
Mike had an extraordinary love for family, and he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he leaves to celebrate his memory as their cherished Papaw.
Mike was a lifelong animal lover who cared deeply for his pets and made them members of his beloved family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers; Gary, David, Terry, Thomas, and Robert Flinders and three sisters; Lodeema Flinders, Shirley Flinders Wedge, and Patricia Flinders Lyons.
Remaining to mourn his passing are his loving wife of 52 years, whom he married on February 7, 1969, Norma Russell Flinders, of Franklin Furnace; daughter Stephanie (Kevin) Haywood of Wheelersburg; son Chad (Shellie) Flinders of McDermott; and son Christopher (Tanya Lopez) Flinders of Georgia; grandchildren: Zachary (Regina) Flinders, Kirby Phipps, Kyle Phipps, Corey Haywood, McKinley Flinders, and Mason Flinders; and great grandchildren: Mercedes Tackett, Portia Hurst, Emryn Brown, Asher Phipps, Hunter Haywood, and Liam Haywood; brother Larry (Mary) Flinders of Utah; and special niece Jennifer (Richard) Blevins. A host of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and close friends are also left behind to memorialize his joyful and well-lived life.
Arrangements are under the direction of F.C. Daehler Mortuary, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Please visit www.fcdaehlermortuary.com to share special memories of Mike and leave condolences for his family.