Joan Helen Stephens

Joan Helen Stephens Joan Helen Peterson Stephens, age 81, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away Saturday, October 26, 2013, at The Baptist Home, Chillicothe, Missouri. Joan was born the daughter of Clause Robert and Lillian Helen (Eastman) Peterson on November 12, 1931, in Evanston, Illinois. She graduated from Evanston High School, Evanston, Illinois, in 1949. She then went on to attend Christian College, Columbia, Missouri, where she graduated with an Associates Degree in Home Economics. She was united in marriage to Fredrick Max Stephens on June 16, 1951, in Evanston, Illinois, at the Congregational Church. He preceded her in death on March 23, 2012. Fred played professional basketball for the REA Travelers, and both the Central Methodist and Southwest Missouri State Teams were inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Joan was a member of the United Methodist Church in Chillicothe for 54 years. Joan was a member and past president of Junior Sorosis and Chapter JW PEO. Joan was an active member of the Dorcus Lydia Circle United Methodist Women, RSVP, Salvation Army Board, and DAR. She had been a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader and founded the Chillicothe Chapter of MS Fund Drive. Survivors include one son Robert Scott Stephens and wife Mary Jane of Chillicothe, Missouri; one daughter Pamela Stephens Constant and husband Randy of Chillicothe, Missouri; five grandchildren, Thomas Lane Constant and wife Courtney of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Morgan Constant Ely and husband Eric of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Claire Ellen Constant of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Megan Jane Stephens Keller and husband Nathan of Frontenac, Missouri, Ali Elizabeth Stephens of Chillicothe, Missouri; three great grandchildren Chloe Annabelle Constant, Lydia Grace Constant, and Jon Ryan Ely; two sisters-in-law Alta Stephens Davies of Gladstone, Missouri, and Jane Peterson Fossum of Dallas, Texas; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Fred, one son Thomas Frederick Stephens, and one brother Robert Peterson. Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. A family visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Wheeling Cemetery, Wheeling, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Festival of Lights and/or The Chillicothe United Methodist Church and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, PO Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.