Steve A. Smallegan, age 67, lived a life of deep faith and love, devoted to Christ and to those around him. On December 7th, 2025, he entered his eternal home.
He was born to Philip (deceased) and Dorothy Smallegan and raised in Forest Grove, Michigan with his brother David (Shannon) Smallegan. Steve graduated from Hudsonville High School in 1976 and Hope College in 1980. Answering God’s call, he pursued seminary studies at Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI) and Saint Andrews University (Scotland) before completing his Master of Divinity at Fuller Seminary (Pasadena, CA) in 1983. That same year, he was ordained and began a ministry that spanned more than four decades. Along the way, he also earned his Doctorate of Ministry from Asbury Seminary (Wilmore, KY).
Steve served faithfully in the Reformed Church in America, beginning as Assistant Chaplain at Hope College in Holland, MI (1983-1984). He then pastored Nooksack Valley Reformed Church in Nooksack, WA (1985-1990), and Westwood Reformed Church in Muskegon, MI (1990-1998). He served in a denominational position as the Zeeland Classis Minister (1998-2014). After interim ministry at First Reformed Church in Oostburg, WI (2015-2016), Steve concluded his pastoral calling at Hope Church in South Haven, MI (2016-2024).
His heart for ministry extended beyond the pulpit-as a young man, he spent three summers serving on the Camp Geneva staff and later returned for 35 years as a Chaplain. He also mentored children through Kids Hope USA for 30 years. Wherever God placed him, Steve poured into people and communities with humility and joy.
Steve celebrated nearly 42 years of marriage with his loving wife, Brenda (Bakker). Together they raised four daughters: Laura (Nate) Hinkle, Hannah (Jon) Haeffele, Lydia (Andrew) Loveland, and Maria (Owen) Brookhouse. He was a proud papa to Ezra, Jeremiah, Noah, Theodore, Naomi, and Ellis -each one a source of immeasurable joy.
Outside of ministry, Steve loved reading, traveling, and playing golf and tennis. He was a lifelong sports enthusiast, but his greatest passion was sharing life and faith with those around him.
Steve faced a courageous two-year battle with cancer, walking that journey with grace, strength, and unwavering trust in God. He will be deeply missed, but we rejoice in knowing that he was welcomed home and heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Visitation will be held Noon-2:00 pm and 5:00pm-8:00pm on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Yntema Funeral Home 251 S. State St. Zeeland, MI 49464.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be at Noon on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Hope Reformed Church, 1365 Monroe Blvd, South Haven, MI 49090.
Memorial gifts may be made to Camp Geneva, a ministry close to his heart at www.campgeneva.org/give/ or by mail to 3995 Lakeshore Dr. N. Holland, MI 49424.
Burial to take place in Forest Grove Cemetery.
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