James M. Stephens Sr.

May 21, 1912 - Sept. 9, 2000

James M. Stephens, age 88, of Oakland St., South Bend, died at 6:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center after a short illness. He was born May 21, 1912, in Sturgis, Mich.

Jim worked for Studebakers until their closing and retired as a pipefitter from Allied Products at the age of 74. Mr. Stephens graduated from Central High School and Lincoln Institute of Technology.

Privileged to walk beside him and left to celebrate his life are his wife of 63 years, Ruby M. (Vanlue), two sons, James Jr. and Larry G., a daughter, Elaine F. Kuespert (Dennis L.), all of Mishawaka; a brother, Westeron Stephens (Bernadette) of Cincinnati, Ohio; his grandchildren, Michele Kulp (Bruce) of Edwardsburg, Mich., Jennifer Asbury, Sheila and Adam Stephens, all of Mishawaka, Cheryl Stephens of South Bend, Spring Stephens and Connie Stagg (Larry) of Elkhart, Ind., Drew Kuespert. of Fremont, Ind. and Khara Kuespert of Mishawaka; and six. great-grandchildren. Aleigha, Jay. Kailey and Chelsea Stephens, Matthew Barna and Nicholas Lambert.

Mr. Stephens was preceded in death by his parents, Zella and Westeron Stephens; two brothers, Don and Gordon Stephens; and three sisters, Reva Pruett, Olive Lowell and Jean Goodwin.

Family and friends may call from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday in the ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Private burial to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A private man of uncompromising integrity,

Jim was loyal and faithful to his family and his work. He was a man of great intelligence and ability who built and flew his own airplanes. He could take a car apart and reassemble. He loved and appreciated organ music and was an avid reader with special interest in history and English. He will be greatly missed family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637, or Studebaker National Museum, 525 S. Main St. South Bend, IN 46601.

The South Bend Tribune South Bend, IN, 11 Sep 2000

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

10/06/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108110339/james-m-stephens