Obit of Donald J. Stephens

Donald J. Stephens, 90, Fairbury, died at 12:56 am Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, June 29, 2012 at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury where full military rites will be accorded by the J. A. Folwell American Legion Post 174.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 am Friday at the church. The family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury or the J.A. Folwell American Legion Post 174, Forrest.
Mr. Stephens was born November 8, 1921 in Chatsworth, IL the son of Shelby and Clella Perkins Stephens. He married Marjorie “Bunny” Nussbaum on March 14, 1948 in Forrest, IL. She survives in Fairbury.
Also surviving are their children, Tarry Knauer, Melanie (Warren) Gillett, Pam Weeks and Sam (Patsy) Stephens, all of Fairbury, Doug (Cindy) Stephens, Forrest, Candy Stephens, San Francisco, CA, eleven grandchildren, Stephanie Nelson, Kevin Knauer, Shannon Hughes, Kelli Reese, Tori Lemenager, Darren Weeks, Brent Weeks, Austin Stephens, Derek Stephens, Deanna DeLong, Dustin Stephens, sixteen great grandchildren, three sisters, Hazel Honzik, Seminole, FL, Mary Ruth Ricketts, Fairbury, Phyllis (Don) Fortna, Pontiac, IL, one brother, Tom (Carolyn) Stephens, Forrest.
He is preceded in death by one grandson, Derek Gillett, two sons-in-law, Neil Knauer and Jim Weeks, two brothers, Vernon and Raymond Stephens, and one sister, Shirley Ann Brucker.
Mr. Stephens farmed in Livingston County from 1937 until his retirement in 1985. He served in the United States Army during WWII, from 1942 to 1945, being stationed in Italy.
He was a sixty six consecutive year member of the J.A. Folwell American Legion Post 174, Forrest, a member of the Roland Nims VFW Post 9789, Fairbury, member of Knoll Lodge, Fairbury, and collected John Deere Tractors. In 2009 he was fortunate to be selected for the Honor Flight to Washington DC as a World War II Veteran.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be greatly missed.
See photo here.