Richard Leo Alvesteffer, 78, of Hart, MI, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, July 28, 2023. He married Connie Rought at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Weare on June 19, 1965, and raised four boys and five girls at their home on Southern Drive in Hart.

Richard is survived by eight of his children: Carri (Andrew) Wilson of Rockwall, TX; Susan Alvesteffer of Chelsea, MI; twins Anthony Alvesteffer of Fremont, MI and Andrew Alvesteffer of Engadine, MI; Joseph (HeYoung) Alvesteffer of Killeen, TX; Melinda Conover of Sheridan, MI; Amanda (Zack) Meszaros of Fulshear, TX, and Sara (Matt) Richards of Hesperia, MI and his younger brother, Leon (Laura) Alvesteffer of Hesperia, MI. He has 23 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie, his son, James Alvesteffer, his parents Ermine and Leola Alvesteffer, and 9 brothers and sisters.

Richard was born November 16, 1944 on the family farm to Ermine Joseph Alvesteffer and Leola Mae (Bellgraph) Alvesteffer and was always referred to as "Dick". Dad was an avid hunter and shot his last buck at age 77. He particularly enjoyed teasing the grandchildren by telling them that his 13-point mounted buck that hung in his living room was Bambi, which made them all cry! Dad also loved gardening, which his children can contest to as they spent their childhood years continually pulling weeds, and he even had a large garden right up to his passing…full of weeds! He was a faithful Catholic, a member of the Knights of Columbus, spent his entire life as a parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and proud of his family's heritage as one of the original founding families of the parish.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, August 4, 2023, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Weare with interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in the family plot. Visitation will occur at the church one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made directly to St. Joseph's Catholic Parish in the name of Richard and Connie Alvesteffer.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com