John Franklin Stephen - Paragould

Friday, March 14, 2003

John Franklin Stephen, 85, of Paragould died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at Monette Manor. He was a retired cabinet maker, Methodist, veteran of Normandy War of Northern France, a member of the VFW and member of Carpenter Machinest Union. He had lived in Paragould for three years, formerly of Madison, Ill.

He is survived by a brother, Delmar Yates of Mesa, Ariz.; two sons, Gary Stephens of St. Peters, Mo., and Creg Michael Stephen of Barnhart, Mo.; two daughters, Peggy Bailey of Paragould and Beverly Green of Dittmer, Mo.; 13 grandchildren, Victoria Hunt, Charles Dacus, Mark Bailey, Tony Bailey, Stacey Bailey, Terry Bailey, Yvette Hudson, Damon Stephen, Diona Rolston, Stephanie Stephen, Cameron Stephen, Eric Stephen, and Patrick Stephen, and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dan Stephen; his mother, Mildred Yates; children's mother, Blanche Stephen; children's step-mother, Sylba Stephen; daughter, Deborah Stephen, and grandson, John Frick.

The funeral was held at 10 a.m. Friday at Chapel Hill Mortuary in Cedar Hill, Mo. Burial was in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Cedar Hill with Gregg Funeral Home of Monette in charge of local arrangements.