Obituary

Service: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 2 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel

Calling: Monday, July 22, 2013 - 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home ************************************************************************

Bobby R. Stephens, 73, of Elmira died Thursday, July 18, 2013, at 8:39 p.m. in his residence.

He has lived in this area for 52 years, coming from Tennessee.

Mr. Stephens worked at Kendallville Foundry in Kendallville and retired from the Sturgis Foundry in Sturgis, Michigan.

He was President of the GMP Local 262 for many years.

Bobby coached Little League baseball, and coached and played slow pitch softball. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed fishing and blue grass music. He loved being around his grandchildren, and was active in all school functions for his children and grandchildren.

He was born July 3, 1940, in Wilder, Tennessee, to Beecher L. and Wilma (Franklin) Stephens. On January 27, 1961, he married Anna Owens. She preceded him in death on February 14, 2009.

Surviving are a son, Danny Stephens of Stroh; a good friend and caregiver, Denise Harp of Orland; two stepsons, Kenny Freed of Garrett and Michael Freed of Washington; four grandchildren, Brandi Mullens of Rome City, Michael Mullens of Rome City, Traci Dean of Kendallville, and Kyle Stephens of Butler; five stepgrandchildren, Matt Freed of Fort Wayne, Jerod Freed of Waterloo, Josh Freed of Fort Wayne, Jennifer Haffner of Butler, and Leslie Bobish of Fort Wayne; a great-granddaughter, Serenity Mullens of Rome City; seven sisters, Diana Glant of Tennessee, Pat Hoover of Chicago, Brenda Ratcliff of Chicago, Sharon Jesse of Kendallville, Sandy Shook of Kendallville, Kim Shook of Kendallville, and Kathy Scwab of Nashville, Tennessee; and two brothers, Rick Stephens of LaOtto and Mike Stephens of California.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Pam Miller on April 25, 2012; three sisters, Geraldine Geer, Rebecca Bryum, and Charlotte Eichorn; and a brother, Buddy Stephens.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at 2 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville with Rev. Willie Collins officiating. Burial will be in Brushy Chapel Cemetery, LaGrange.

Honorary pallbearers will be Don Henderson, Ray Slone, Kyle Stephens, Elbert Owens, Matt Freed, Josh Freed, Jerod Freed, Steven White, Aaron Harp, and Dane Harp.

Calling is Monday, July 22, 2013, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the family.

View a video tribute after Monday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com