Gerald R. Stephens

STREATOR — Gerald Russell Stephens, 94, of Streator, passed away Friday, Nov. 9.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Winterrowd Funeral Home. Masonic ritual will be at 10:45 a.m. and funeral services will be at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Private family burial will be in Richland Cemetery in Leonore. Serving as pallbearers will be family members.

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

Surviving are daughters, Linda (Gene) Kencke, of Central Point, Ore., 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; and 17 great-grandchildren.

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

He came to Streator in 1942, graduating from Streator High School. Gerald worked for Burlington Railroad 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 Streator Masonic Lodge, a 32nd Degree in Moline, a member of First United Methodist Church and Methodist Men.

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

Winterrowd Funeral Home

305 S. Park St., Streator, IL 61364

815-672-2703 winterrowdfh.com