Edwin Earl Stevens, 93, of Avon, IL passed away Wednesday
August 30, 2017, at his home. He was
born Monday February 4, 1924 in St. Louis, MO. The only child of Henry and Elsie M. (Ellsworth)
Stevens. He married Jane (Mitchell)
Laule on February 6, 1983.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Jane of Avon,
IL; three children: Randolph Stevens of St. Louis, MO, Michael Stevens of
Silverdale, WA, and Allison Johnson of San Jose, CA; 8 grandchildren and 4
great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, 1
son (Todd Stevens), and 1 grandson.
Edwin attended Harrison Grade School and Beaumont High
School in St. Louis, MO. His young days
were spent managing Khoury League Baseball for 9 years in North St. Louis
County. At seventeen, his first position
was billing clerk at Hayes Freight Lines.
He was drafted February 11, 1943, and entered in at Jefferson Barricks,
MO. From there transferred into Military Police in Marietta, PA. During his stay there he escorted German
Prisoners to Camp Ellis, IL. While in
the Army he played Taps for several deceased soldiers, his experience coming
from playing bugle in American Legion Drum and Bugle Corp at age 12 in St.
Louis. Late in 1944 he was sent to New
Guinea. It took 17 days to go from San
Francisco to New Guinea on a Kaiser Liberty ship. After a short period in New Guinea, he was
sent to Luzon in the Philippines. From
previous medical training, he was assigned to the 128th Infantry
Company 32nd Infantry Division.
His next eight months was spent in the mountains called the Villa Verde
Trail. While attending another wounded
soldier he was shot by a sniper in the left arm and wounded, because it took so
long to heal bones he was sent back to San Francisco to heal. He was later discharged and received the
Purple Heart. His future position as
billing and rate clerk were at National Carloading, where he worked for
approximately 15 years. Then moved to
Acme fast Freight as a piece work biller.
His next position was Western Gillette as a salesman, and then moved to
IML Freight, Inc. for five years as a salesman.
His next and last position was at Bowman Transportation as Terminal
Manager/Salesman. He retired from Bowman
in 1987 and moved to Avon, IL. Ed
enjoyed his trip a year ago to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight.
Memorial service will be Saturday September 2, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at the Avon Federated Church Avon, IL where Pastor Jon Prain will be officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Avon Federated Church. Cremation rites have been accorded burial will be in the Avon Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Avon Federated Church.
Saturday September 2, 2017 ~ 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Avon Federated Church Avon. IL
Saturday September 2, 2017 ~ 1:00 p.m.
Avon Federated Church Avon, IL
My deepest sympathy to Jane and to all the family. My family and I thank him for his service to our country. May he rest in peace.
Jane, prayers and sympathy go out to you. As was mentioned we are so grateful for his service to.our country.
Jane and family--Bob and I are so sorry for your loss. We are so glad he got to go on the Honor Flight.
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