John C. Stephens

John Charles Stephens, 97, passed away Sunday December 12, 2021 in Lebanon, Oregon.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years Edna and then his second wife of 21 years Gertrude, his son Daniel, his parents, his 8 sisters and 2 brothers.  Left to cherish his memory is daughter Ruth (Alan) Sohler, daughter in law Sandra Stephens, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, 4 step daughters, step grandchildren and great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

John was born in Columbus, Ohio, graduated from Holy Family School and entered the Army upon graduation.  He was in the infantry division in WWII.  He was at the Battle of the Bridge at Remagen, Germany and Battle of the Bulge; he marched from Le Havre France to the Danube.  He returned to Columbus after the war.  He was a dry cleaner, met his wife Edna, worked as a brick mason and milk man for Bordens Dairy.  In 1961 they moved to Orlando, Florida where he worked for Bordens Dairy then became a life insurance agent which he retired from at age 65.  He was a devout Catholic and involved in St. John Vianney Church in Orlando.  He was active in Knights of Columbus 5958 Council; he also belonged to Sertoma in Orlando and active with “Russell Home”.

He remarried in 1989 to Gertrude.  They traveled in US and abroad. He came to live with his daughter in Oregon in 2013 after being diagnosed with TB.  He spent his final years in Oregon.  He enjoyed being with his family.  He will be missed by everyone who knew him and be remembered as a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in John’s name to Holy Family Soup Kitchen in Columbus, Ohio, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, St. Vincent de Paul, or a charity of your choice.

Friends may call Sunday, January 9, 2022, from 1-5 at Egan Ryan Funeral Home, 403 East Broad Street.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, January 10, 2022, at 9:30 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

The Graveside Service and Military Honors can be viewed by clicking HERE

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