W. Wayne Stephenson

SIKESTON, MO. - Wendell Wayne Stephenson, 92, formerly of Georgetown and Vermilion Grove, passed away at 2:15am on Thursday, November 9, 2006, at his daughter, Sharon Chouinards residence in Sikeston, Missouri. Visitation will be from 3pm to 7pm, Sunday, November 12th, 2006, at Sunsets Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home in Georgetown with Rosary at 6:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am, Monday, November 13th, 2006, at St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Georgetown. The Father John Paninski will officiate. He will be buried in Vermilion Grove Cemetery in Ridge Farm. He was born on January 10th, 1914, in Georgetown, IL, son of Charles & Myrta Summers Stephenson. He married Josephine Roedl on December 31st, 1936, in Elmira, NY. She preceded him in death in 2001. Survivors include: his two sons, Michael (Donna) Stephenson of Ridge Farm, Wendell (Virginia) Stephenson of LaQuinta, CA; his four daughters, Jacqueline (George) Shadden of Westville, Kay (Ron) Reiter of Festus, MO, Sharon (Dr. Michael) Chouinard of Sikeston, MO, and Mary Jo Huisman of Eugene, OR; his sister, Evelyn (Robert) Winkle of Georgetown; his sister-in-law; his 23 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. His parents, four brothers, and one sister preceded him in death. Beginning in 1937, Wayne worked in defense plants and then at Remington Rand Corp in Elmira, NY. He and his family returned to Illinois in 1946. He established his own business, known as Stephenson Automotive Company, in Ridge farm during 1947. He later owned the Allis Chalmers Farm Machinery dealership for several years offering new and used equipment sales, parts, and service. Before retiring in 1976, he operated only an automotive parts and service business. He was a member of the Ridge Farm Lions Club and Knights of Columbus. Wayne was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing and playing cards with friends, family and at CRIS. He was a volunteer at St. Elizabeth Hospital for several years. Wayne took great pride in his wide orchard variety and grape arbors during the forty years he lived in Vermilion Grove. Big gardens with a wide array of produce were his summer hobby. He shared his generous bounty. Wayne was a handyman, adept in the repair of anything mechanical. He read anything with a western theme. His family was most important to him. He expected honesty and integrity and his wit and humor will be missed by family and friends.