1922
John
2007
John Thomas Stephens
July 28, 1922 — October 2, 2007
Completing his lifetime of selfless family devotion, John T. Stephens went to his final rest Tuesday, October 2, 2007 after a short illness.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church, East Moline. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory 6601-38th Ave, Moline. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Born July 28, 1922 in Rock Island to William E. and Emma Stephens, John spent his last 57 years as a resident of East Moline. After graduating in 1940 from Rock Island High School where he was an outstanding track athlete, John went to work at Farmall. As so many of his generation did, he volunteered and served in World War II. He spent three years in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre as a naval radio operator.
Returning to Rock Island after the war, he briefly attended Augustana College. In 1946 he met and married his first wife, Doris E. Bray of Dennison, IA. Three years after his first wife's death, in 1952, he met and married Audrey Stephens of Savanna, IL. Audrey and John were married for almost fifty years, until her death in 2005. He was also preceded in death by his brother Bill. Bill's son Jack lives in San Diego, CA. and maintained a very strong relationship with his Uncle John. John will always be remembered as a great joke and story teller. He enjoyed dancing in his younger years and was passionate about the game of Bridge. Fittingly he was in the middle of a Bridge game when stricken by his illness.
A handyman in the truest sense, John was accomplished at most facets of the building trades. Employed at Farmall Works for thirty-two years, he used his construction skills as a shop carpenter. Over the years he built and renovated many houses and maintained numerous self-owned rental properties.
Giving to others as he gave to his family, John was involved in many volunteer activities. As a member of the East Moline Masonic Lodge 969, he drove many a child to Chicago for treatment at the Shriner's Hospital. He also donated hundreds of hours to Shriner fundraising activities, including volunteer work from its inception at the John Deere Classic. His other selfless gifts of time and talent went to the Cub Scouts, Dad's Club, and his church. Few friends and family were ever turned down when needing assistance on home repair projects.
John is survived by three children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His oldest son, William and wife Lisa Stephens reside in Galesburg, IL. Daughter Ruth (Tim) DeJonghe are residents of Garrison, MN. Youngest son Scott lives in Moline. His extended family includes granddaughter Jennifer DeJonghe, her husband Paul Hudalla and son Silas of Minneapolis, MN, another granddaughter Molly Cosert resides in Brainerd, MN with her husband, Todd and daughter Emelia. Three grandsons reside in Eastern Illinois, as does their mother, Nancy of Kankakee. Andrew Stephens, his wife Sarah, and their two daughters, Ellen and Anna, reside in Clifton, IL. Grandsons, Zachary and Benjamin Stephens, reside in Kankakee, IL and Elmhust, IL respectively. Grandson, Zachary Larson and his wife Amy, live in Ankeny, IA. Another grandson, Jacob Larson, is a resident of Galesburg, IL.
Two other very important people in John's life reside in the Quad Cities. Cousin Jean Dillon and special friend Phyllis Shrader are residents of Moline.
The flame that was John Stephens gave guidance and warmth to so many people and has been finally extinguished. The flame will remain alive in the hearts of all who knew him.
Online condolences may be expressed to John's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church, East Moline. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory 6601-38th Ave, Moline. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Born July 28, 1922 in Rock Island to William E. and Emma Stephens, John spent his last 57 years as a resident of East Moline. After graduating in 1940 from Rock Island High School where he was an outstanding track athlete, John went to work at Farmall. As so many of his generation did, he volunteered and served in World War II. He spent three years in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre as a naval radio operator.
Returning to Rock Island after the war, he briefly attended Augustana College. In 1946 he met and married his first wife, Doris E. Bray of Dennison, IA. Three years after his first wife's death, in 1952, he met and married Audrey Stephens of Savanna, IL. Audrey and John were married for almost fifty years, until her death in 2005. He was also preceded in death by his brother Bill. Bill's son Jack lives in San Diego, CA. and maintained a very strong relationship with his Uncle John. John will always be remembered as a great joke and story teller. He enjoyed dancing in his younger years and was passionate about the game of Bridge. Fittingly he was in the middle of a Bridge game when stricken by his illness.
A handyman in the truest sense, John was accomplished at most facets of the building trades. Employed at Farmall Works for thirty-two years, he used his construction skills as a shop carpenter. Over the years he built and renovated many houses and maintained numerous self-owned rental properties.
Giving to others as he gave to his family, John was involved in many volunteer activities. As a member of the East Moline Masonic Lodge 969, he drove many a child to Chicago for treatment at the Shriner's Hospital. He also donated hundreds of hours to Shriner fundraising activities, including volunteer work from its inception at the John Deere Classic. His other selfless gifts of time and talent went to the Cub Scouts, Dad's Club, and his church. Few friends and family were ever turned down when needing assistance on home repair projects.
John is survived by three children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His oldest son, William and wife Lisa Stephens reside in Galesburg, IL. Daughter Ruth (Tim) DeJonghe are residents of Garrison, MN. Youngest son Scott lives in Moline. His extended family includes granddaughter Jennifer DeJonghe, her husband Paul Hudalla and son Silas of Minneapolis, MN, another granddaughter Molly Cosert resides in Brainerd, MN with her husband, Todd and daughter Emelia. Three grandsons reside in Eastern Illinois, as does their mother, Nancy of Kankakee. Andrew Stephens, his wife Sarah, and their two daughters, Ellen and Anna, reside in Clifton, IL. Grandsons, Zachary and Benjamin Stephens, reside in Kankakee, IL and Elmhust, IL respectively. Grandson, Zachary Larson and his wife Amy, live in Ankeny, IA. Another grandson, Jacob Larson, is a resident of Galesburg, IL.
Two other very important people in John's life reside in the Quad Cities. Cousin Jean Dillon and special friend Phyllis Shrader are residents of Moline.
The flame that was John Stephens gave guidance and warmth to so many people and has been finally extinguished. The flame will remain alive in the hearts of all who knew him.
Online condolences may be expressed to John's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of John Thomas Stephens, please visit our flower store.