Gerald Russell Stephens

Gerald Russell Stephens, 94 of Streator passed away Friday (November 9^th).

A visitation will be held Wednesday from 9:30 – 11 AM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home.  A Masonic ritual will be held at 10:45 and funeral services will be held at 11 AM at the funeral home.  A private family burial will be in the Richland Cemetery in Leonore and serving as pallbearers will be family members.

Gerald was born January 30, 1924 in Clarinda, Iowa to Clarence and Vera (Hulbert) Stephens.  He married Melinda M. Richard on January 16, 1944.  She preceded him in death on July 9, 2015.

Surviving are daughters Linda (Gene) Kencke of Central Point, Oregon and Janice (George) Wilts of Streator, grandchildren Lansing (Stacy) Kencke, Stephanie (Alex) Hayes, Jackie (Doug) Johnson, Joseph (Rebekah) Kencke, Allison Kencke, Shellie (Chris) Pytel and Tori (Jason) Artman, 17 great-grandchildren.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, great-grandson Dustin Kencke, brother Clarence (Bud) Stephens, sisters Elsie Wolf and Mary Jane Pharr.

He came to Streator in 1942 graduating from Streator High School.  Gerald worked for the Burlington RR all of his life giving them 38 years of service starting out as a yard clerk, advancing to rate clerk and promoted to Agent working his way through the ranks to become Head of Operation and Management in the Chicago office the last 13 years before retiring.  He was a member of the Streator Masonic Lodge, a 32^nd Degree in Moline, a member of the 1^st United Methodist Church and the Methodist Men.

The family requested no flowers and memorials to be the donor’s choice.