Sentimental Sunday - Martha Jean Stephens Stephens

Martha J. Stephens
July 7, 1921 - June 24, 2008

SOUTH BEND - Martha Jean Stephens, 86, of South Bend died at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2008 in Southfield Village following an illness. Mrs. Stephens was born July 7, 1921, in Wabash County, IN, to the late Pearl and Grace (Brane) Stephens and had lived in South Bend since 1924. On October 26, 1940, in Marion, IN, she married Irvin Stephens who preceded her in death on March 24, 1994. She was also preceded by three sisters, Marie Schields, Georgia McElheny and Irene Blain; and one brother, Dalton Stephens. She is survived by two daughters, Karen (Robert) Swanson and Connie Wagner, both of South Bend; four grandchildren, Howard Sterling Swanson, Lisa (Mark) Ellam, Stephany (Patrick) Wagner-Thornhill, and Jonathan (Darcy) Wagner; eight great-grandchildren, Jennifer (Chad) Worvey, Garrett Swanson, Ben and Andy Ellam, Dane and Abby Wagner, and Ella and Will Thornhill; and one great-great-grandson, Alex Swanson. Mrs. Stephens was a graduate of the former Central High School in June of 1939 and took great pride in the fact that she was the first person in the family to do so. Private family visitation and services will be held in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. with Chaplain Deborah Hewitt of Southfield Village officiating. Entombment will follow in Riverview Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN, 46637 or to Southfield Village, 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, IN, 46614.

Published in The South Bend Tribune on 6/27/2008.