Gail “Johnny” Stevens
Gail “Johnny” Stevens
Gail “Johnny” Stevens
1921-2016
Gail “Johnny” Stevens, age 94, of Clarinda, Iowa, formerly of Clearmont, Missouri entered into peace Friday, February 5, 2016 at Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Ritchie Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Briley officiating.
Visitation with the family will be held 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2016 at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in the Shearer Cemetery, Braddyville, Iowa.
Memorials may be given in his name. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.
Johnny was born on December 8, 1921 on a farm near Prescott, IA to John Marion and Clara Belle Foy Stevens. He attended school in Prescott, Iowa and served in the US Army Medical Corps during World War Two (1942-1946), stationed overseas at Morley Hall, Norfolk, England.
After the Army, Johnny returned to Prescott, Iowa and worked for Gerold Beattie Trucking where he met and fell in love with a school teacher, Mary Ruth Moffitt. They were married at the Methodist Church in Siam, IA on July 20, 1952, and planned to relocate to Colorado where Johnny had a job working on the transcontinental water pipeline. But, during their honeymoon, Mary contracted polio and the couple returned to Braddyville, IA and later made a home on a farm near Clearmont, MO.
To this union there were four children born: Larry (Doris) Stevens of Burlington, Jct., MO, Marcia (Steve) Armstrong of Coin, IA, Rodney (Connie) Stevens of Braddyville, IA, and Judy (Kevin) Weishar of Manama, Bahrain.
Known for his cheerful smile and compassionate nature, Johnny worked for eight years at the State Hospital in Clarinda. Following an opportunity to move into sales, Johnny took a position at Lucas Feeds and later moved to Johnson Brothers Mills in Shenandoah, IA.
After 20 plus years with Johnson’s, he retired, taking a fulltime position as loving husband and father, and doting grandfather and great-grandfather.
Mary recently preceded Johnny in death on August 7, 2015, briefly leaving Johnny after 63 years of marriage.
After Mary’s death, Johnny continued to bring cheer and joy to his fellow residents at Westridge Quality Care and Rehab facility in Clarinda, where he kept busy lending a helping hand, visiting with the staff and residents, and playing dominoes.
Johnny always had a joke and story for all he met. He was the first to respond to anyone in need, going the extra mile to be a good neighbor. People of all ages gravitated to his infectious laugh and outgoing personality.
Johnny was an active member of the Braddyville United Methodist Church and the American Legion.
Preceding Johnny in death were his parents, his wife, brothers Roy Stevens, Orvan Stevens, Wayne Stevens and sister Evelyn Haley, sisters-in-law Paige Stevens and Dorothy Stevens, brother-in-law Glen Haley, and son-in-law Jim Ingraham.
Johnny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather leaving, his children, twelve grandchildren, Brian (Shelly) Stevens, Amber (Kyle) Newsom, Nikki (Todd) Carlson, Katie (Greg) Branson, Jeff (Lori) Armstrong, Jenny (Sam) Becker, Ashley (Andy) Babbel, Tyler Stevens, Zachary (Maggie) Stevens, McKenzie Stevens, Michael Weishar, Doyle Weishar, twenty-two great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Verla Christensen, Shenandoah, Iowa, Effie Crawford, Osceola, Iowa, and brother-in-law, Leroy (Barb) Moffitt, Murphy, North Carolina, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends to fondly cherish his memory.
